MUSANZE - The best school environment clubs involved in conservation activities in the areas surrounding the Volcanoes National Park, were last week awarded by Karisoke Research Centre. Six schools with most active environmental clubs under the Youth Action for the Environment (YAE) initiative of Karisoke’s Conservation Education Programme were rewarded for their roles in tree planting, compost making, waste management, school vegetable gardens and preparing tree nursery beds. The best performing environment club from Musanze Science School, received two computers and two digital cameras, while Ecole des Science de Gahunga took second position and received one computer and one camera. The rest of the clubs were each awarded with a digital camera to develop a photo album for conservation activities. Joseph Karama, the Education programme manager-Karisoke-YAE said the initiative aims at interesting young people in embracing conservation activities. He revealed that school environment clubs with over 100 members received $300 from the Research Centre. Previously, Karisoke trained teachers in leadership skills and helped students organize exhibitions of their conservation achievements and hygiene practices. “We worked very hard. People can live well if the environment is clean and green,’’ said Didier Sibomana, president of ESTB-Busogo environment club. Other environment clubs were drawn from Sonrise School, E.S St. Vincent Muhoza, E.S Kampanga, and Musanze School of Sciences. Karisoke Research Centre has been is involved in the long-term research and monitoring of the mountain gorilla for over 40 years now. The Centre is also dedicated to promoting science and research among Rwandans starting with young people in schools because they are the future conservationists and decision makers. Ends
