It was an afternoon of fun and learning on Saturday, September 24, as National Geographic Channel’s new docu-series ‘Team Sayari’, exclusively shot and produced by kids, premiered in Rwanda and across Africa. Over 50 children from different schools in the country attended the premiere of Team Sayari, a nature-based television program produced by Nairobi-based production company called White Rhino Films for National Geographic in Association with WildlifeDirect and is funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. State Department. In the series, young presenters and field reporters from across the continent together with African experts in five countries will explore, discover, learn about our environmental challenges and will educate and inspire young viewers how to reduce their impact, protect and restore nature. In Rwanda, the highly anticipated National Geographic Kids programme, which seeks to motivate lasting, impactful behavioural change in young viewers across the continent and create the next generation of environmental conservation leaders, was screened at Prime Biodiversity Conservation offices located in Kicukiro. Pupils sat together in a tent to watch the first two episodes of ‘Team Sayari’, which were screened at the same time globally on National Geographic channel available on DSTv. The first episode focused on the importance and interdependency of wildlife, where an animal the size of the elephant needs a small one like a bee to co-exist and why they should all be preserved and conserved for the good of the planet. “What I have learned from today is that each one of us can play a role in conserving our environment. I also learned that some of the wildlife species we have are targeted by poachers for their valuable horns and we must protect them,” explained Enzo Shema, 12, a student of Green Hills Academy. From the second episode, Shema said he learned how plastic poses a serious danger for the planet and animals but recycling it can make a huge difference. Clarisse Byukusenge, also 12, a student of Kimihurura Primary School, vowed to be picking up plastic waste wherever she finds it, for recycling or proper disposal. “I now understand that we only have one planet and it is us to save it. From now onwards, I will be picking up all plastic bottles and containers for recycling. We learned that a container of margarine can be used for many other purposes,” Byukusenge said. ‘Team Sayari’, which incorporates the Swahili term for ‘planet’, embodies the programme’s goal – to provide viewers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to conserve and protect the natural world, in a fun way. According to David Niyonsaba, the Executive Director of Prime Biodiversity Conservation, the accredited partners in Rwanda, the initiative is aimed at having children tell their own stories on conservation and the environment, in a language they understand best. “Every time we talk to children about the environment, we tell them in the language of adults and it bores them, they are not into speeches. ‘Team Sayari’ is about children telling stories to children,” “We’ve seen how excited they were after watching the documentary and participating in different activities here including learning how to recycle plastic. This is something we want to see reach many children around the country,” Niyonsaba said. Niyonsaba said that the program will create the next generation of environmental conservation leaders and inspire them to even pursue careers in environment and conservation. “Our plan is to reach as many schools as possible, our current target being 50 schools, particularly those in districts neighbouring national parks, so that children can grow up with a good understanding of environmental conservation. Each episode of ‘Team Sayari’ begins with a DNA-inspired computer named Funzi giving our young presenters missions to complete. This sets the scene for adventurous journeys, in which the wonders of the natural world, and the need to live more lightly on the planet, are revealed. On their travels, Team Sayari members met National Geographic Explorers and trailblazers in the fields of conservation, science, nature, wildlife and the environment, learning valuable lessons regarding how to reduce their impact, protect and restore nature in a fun way. On ‘Team Sayari’, Nairobi-based youths Mysha Hodson 13, Marita Lucas 12, Shanah Manjeru 14, Railey Mwai 10 and Adarsh Nagda 12 serve as studio hosts for the show which will be airing on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182, Starsat 221) at 13:00 (CAT) every Saturday. The presenters in the studio connect to Sayari basecamp field presenters who travel to East, West and South Africa to explore intriguing facets of the environment, interview experts on the ground and learn what is needed to protect and conserve our natural world. Joining them on location are Sheilah Sheldone, 13, from Kenya, Toluwanimi Olaoye 12, Nigeria), Christian Mekhi (10, Rwanda), Atule Mazane, Khahliso Khojane, Thandolwethu Fani, (13, 14, 15, South Africa) and Sabrina Kilumanga (10, Tanzania). Following the premiere, viewers can expect thrilling travels, intriguing discoveries, fun DIY activities and enthralling adventures every week. In the premiere episode, Team Sayari showed how single use plastic is harmful to marine life after Funzi sent them on a journey to discover how waste materials reach our oceans, and what they can do to help curb pollution.
