MOVIE DAYS FOR THE LOCAL CHILDREN
Did you know that “Inkosi Ingonyama” means “The Lion King” in Zulu? Last month, 58 children from Hambanathi EC Charity enjoyed three movie days of the Lion King, filled with learning and laughter, at the Wild Tomorrow Conservation Centre. The initiative, hosted by our community conservation program manager, Aphiwe Notshaya, highlights our commitment to educating the next generation about the importance of conservation. Read more in our blog post below!
Children from Hambanathi EC Charity enjoyed dressing up and exploring the Wild Tomorrow Conservation Centre.
In the neighbouring Zulu community of Mduku, many children do not have the opportunity to visit nature reserves right on their doorstep. It is crucial for these children to experience wildlife if they are to become future conservationists. Wild Tomorrow is dedicated to bringing as many of these budding naturalists as possible to our new Conservation Centre through joyful activities like movie days.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
"How should we treat nature?” Aphiwe asked the children after they had finished their popcorn, candy, and classic Disney flick. Their responses were impressive: “We must save and protect nature so that future generations can enjoy it.” The children eagerly named the animals and other nonliving things they saw in the film and discussed the environmental differences under the reigns of Scar and Mufasa.
One of the budding conservationists and “butterflies” marauding around the impala’s grazing spots.
As grown-up conservationists watching the film, we recognized many familiar species: dazzles of zebra, towers of giraffe, herds of elephants, and pink flamingo at the waterhole where Simba sings “Just Can’t Wait To Be King”. It was particularly exciting to see species we protect in our region, including the black rhinoceros, spotted hyena, bushbaby, nyala, aardvark, and more!
Aphiwe encouraged the kids to engage their senses, and, as a guided post-movie activity, asked them to list what they saw, heard, and smelled while exploring our new Conservation Centre. Kids will be kids – full of boisterous, excited energy – so they had a great time running around our grounds in fancy dress. Our young explorers even reported that the resident impalas were looking on quizzically at the community pirates and butterflies marauding around their grazing spots.
“I hosted the event to get kids talking about animals and nature and the special relationship between the two”, explained Aphiwe. “I thought, why not make a movie week instead of a traditional lesson? I organised props for a mini photoshoot before the movie and made popcorn and sweets to give them a cinema feel. The popcorn was a hit!”
Aphiwe and the wider Wild Tomorrow team were delighted to share The Lion King with local children at the Wild Tomorrow Conservation Center. For the Mduku children, and for all of us who love The Lion King and its magical wild characters, we hope it inspires a deeper desire to protect wild places and the animals that call them home.
“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance,” Mufasa the King told Simba. “As King, you need to understand that balance and respect all creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope”.
Please support the Wild Tomorrow Education Fund to support the future stewards of our planet’s most precious biodiversity.
