National Geographic’s “Team Sayari” is proud to announce the achievements of their extended educational entertainment programme, the Nature Positive Kids Outreach Program. The Nature Positive Kids Outreach is designed to educate and inspire young minds between the ages of 7 and 12 about the importance of wildlife conservation.
“Team Sayari”, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Walt Disney Company Africa and Wildlife Direct, saw a 20-part television series being aired across Africa on National Geographic Wild and Disney Channel. With a goal to inspire meaningful, impactful behavioural change in young viewers across the continent and create the next generation of environmental conservation leaders, “Team Sayari” moved from the small screen to schools and communities in East Africa in April 2023, with the Nature Positive Kids Outreach Programme.
Through a series of outreach screening events, workshops, and nature based activities, the Nature Positive Kids Outreach Programme aims to encourage a more sustainable and responsible approach to environmental stewardship. The Programme has gained traction among young audiences and educators, by instilling a passion for wildlife conservation. To date, Nature Positive Kids Outreach has reached over 10,000 children in 200 schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, garnering positive feedback from children, teachers, and parents alike.
Imparting valuable lessons about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of preserving biodiversity, the programme has inspired audiences to participate in various conservation activities, including tree-planting initiatives to restore landscapes, awareness programs, community and school clean-up events, plastic recycling, and waste management.
Recognizing the significance of linguistic diversity, WildlifeDirect and its collaboration partners dubbed Team Sayari content in both Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda. By using Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda, Team Sayari was able to engage with more communities, expanding the reach of the programme, whilst facilitating a deeper understanding of conservation matters. Furthermore, grants of 500USD to schools to implement a conservation project of their own, with Team Sayari prizes also offered to schools to incentivize children to participate.
Dr. Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect, said: “With Nature Positive Kids Outreach, “Team Sayari” goes beyond passive viewership by initiating interactive learning sessions that reinforce the educational messages from each episode. Children visit the various conservation hubs and National Parks and Reserves to deepen their knowledge and understanding of wildlife conservation interactively and enjoyably. This multi-platform approach ensures a holistic learning experience beyond the television screen.”
Trish Sewe, Chief of Party of the project, said: “Buoyed by the success of “Team Sayari”, we are committed to expanding its reach and impact by providing high-quality educational programming that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for nature and wildlife. By instilling these values in young minds, we hope to contribute to developing a generation conscious of the importance of wildlife conservation.”
