Some Cameroon-based environmental non-profit organizations, Voice of Nature (VoNat) and Meg Wah (My Earth) are extending their EcoKids project to Douala in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. EcoKids is an annual climate action kids programme jointly developed and implemented by Meg Wah and VoNat with funding support from Earth Rising Foundation.
Over the last 3 years both organizations have engaged over 120 kids from communities within the Mount Cameroon Area and Bamenda Highlands of the Southwest and Northwest regions of Cameroon respectively, in experiential learning and community sensitization on climate change. Through folktales, climate education, climate media & arts sessions, climate information gathering, the establishment of a community orchard, planting of over 400 trees in public spaces, raising trees and restoring degraded watersheds and landscapes etc., they have boosted the zeal of these youngsters for climate actions and species conservation. These culminated in the creation of a climate change network of 120 kids for continuous support and mentorship.
Considering the deleterious effects of climate change in Douala, Littoral Region of Cameroon, VoNat and Meg Wah have again been support by Earth Rising Foundation to extend this project to engage over 100 kids and youths in this area in climate action. The 2024 edition of the 100% scholarship programme, which kicked off in July is designed to provide a wide range of benefits aimed at fostering holistic development and fostering a deep-rooted commitment to environmental advocacy.
With mobilization and close to 100 kids and youths already selected following their outstanding performance in an environmental quiz, VoNat and Meg Wah will in the days ahead conduct educational sessions using visual aids including videos, drawings, and field observations to equip the children with knowledge on climate change and its impacts on the global scale and their community. The youngsters will also be engaged in outdoor and interactive mentorship and workshop sessions that will see them develop and implement unique solutions to identified climate change challenges in their communities. This year’s edition of the project will end in December.