Wildlife Clubs in Boven, Suriname
Along the Boven (Upper) Suriname River are more than 10 Maroon villages with more than 200 community members each. the largest village of New Aurora is home to more than 1,000 people. These villages were established in the mid 1960s when people were forced to leave their homes and move higher up the river, as the immense Brokopondo hydro-power lake was created and flooded their lands.
The Maroon villages still display a wide array of the cultural heritage their ancestors possessed. Formal education in those villages was introduced in the late 1960s, but with the internal war in Suriname during the 1980s, that process was severely interrupted. Many children were deprived from education and only in recent years did education on the river make a slow re-start, with positive results.It is clear to see when one enters these villages that many young people do not have any structural extra-curricular activities, next to the things they are naturally inclined to do, such as swimming in the rapid-filled river, catching animals and playing games. the knowledge about the importance of conservation of nature and wildlife is limited.
In this light WWF Guianas made contact with 10 of these villages to introduce and establish the concept of wildlife clubs (in Dutch it is referred to as Nature Clubs). Dr. Marie-Louise Felix, Species Conservation Officer and Jerrel Pinas Communications Officer, went twice to the Boven Suriname to talk with the village leaders, school teachers and women organizations to evaluate the potential for the development of a project: Sustainable Development through Wildlife Conservation and Community Support.
In the first 4-day visit in meetings , called krutu's, the WWF Guianas team explained what WWF does what it would like to do and how wildlife clubs can support the development of the children and the communities. This concept was welcomed by all of the 10 visited villages. Another organization that joined and in fact introduced WWF to the area is Stichting voor de Jonge Generatie (foundation for the young generation, SJG), lead by Marius Wee Wee. This organization wants to support community development in this region.
The villagers also asked for support for different pressing needs of the community, such as a multi-functional center for women, training, display of art and produce, etc. This support will be given by the SJG, with funding from the UNDP.
The children will be trained to understand what a wildlife club is and what activities they can do. Since not all villages have a school, children from neighboring communities (no more than 10 minutes away by boat), will join the larger schools. Through fun activities the children will be taught how to look at their surrounding nature with different eyes and hopefully grow up with a greater appreciation for their forests and wildlife.
the second trip to the river was to inform the villages that the clubs will be officially established in August, with a formal training of teachers, club members and community leaders. We want everyone involved in the conservation of the environment, words of Dr. Marie-Louise Felix.
Key Points that were discussed in every village:
- What is WWF
- What are wildlife or nature conservation clubs?
- What do these clubs do? (It was highlighted that there are 3 important components to a club:
- Nature Conservation,
- Learning, developing skills and working together;
- Having fun
- Do you want a wildlife club in your school?
- WWF is interested in establishing wildlife clubs and supporting the functioning of the clubs for at least the first year of the program.
- Students will need support from teachers, women's groups, and Captain for the club to be successful.
- WWF will recommend and provide technical advice to clubs but ultimately it is the club, with guidance from the community, which will determine what its key focus and accompanying activities will be.
- Students, teachers and community leaders need to identify a club leader. Later an executive will be created.
