Special classes

I manage to continue the environmental education every week.

I decided to continue the same subject "deforestation and forest (tree) protection" for the first 2 weeks of February.

But not in the same way.

If I organise always by myself, it is very hard and also kids can be bored of it.

I said also to myself that I belonged to the Houet provincial office of Environment and Living Conditoins, I should collaborate with my colleagues !

So, for the 1st week,

I asked to one of my office bosses (forester: expert of trees) to talk about "4 classified forests" around Bobo city that I don't know so much thing about.

Why these 4 forests were classified by by the government ?

→for sustainable use of natural (forest) resources
→for the protection of local flora and soil

What can we do there ?

→Cutting trees with a permission
→Agroforestry under a contract

What is prohibited to do there?

(without permisssion)

→Culture

→Pasturage

→Hunt

Despite these rules, the forests are in danger...

She was taking notes well !

So what kids, future's adults can do to profit of these forests even until their kids' generation ?

They proposed solutions that they had discussed at the last class with me.

I learned also not only about these forests but some good points of teaching from him. He had a good technique of attracting kids' attention and of involving maximum of kids in the discussion.

Then I thought why not to go further !

Which means, I asked to the president of YANTA to tell the real experience of the women at forests when they were cutting trees illegally and right now (how it has been changed).

Whole story was told in dioula because the president said that she would be much relaxed if she could do all in dioula and I thought also the story in dioula could be more realistic.

I couldn't understand all of the story, of course but by watching kids' surpried or chocked reaction, I could see them listening carefully to her story.

However, there were always several kids who couldn't understant dioula at each class so I felt sorry for them...

Anyway at the end, we all sang a song called Enviroment for all (Protect trees).

Her and I were so happy at the end.

After, some kids came to suggest to me to go to see the women's work at forest (planting trees and cashew nuts processing) with the money they collect from each.

I was so happy to hear that because this is the point ! :take action! even though at present, I'm not sure if it is possible to make it and this will be only a visit but not doing any concret action to protect our environment.

I will try to find some possibilities.