Written by Verawati Aprillia (BNF Communications Assistant)
Following the launch of our new storybook ‘The Little Gibbon Who Lost His Song’ on International Children’s Book Day in April this year, our Education Team have established a new programme, called ‘Gibbon Goes To School.’
The programme involves visiting elementary schools in the city of Palangka Raya, and surrounding villages, to tell the story of Little Gibbon to children in Grade 1 and 2 (aged 6 to 8 years old) along with interactive games. Copies of the book are also donated to each of the schools that are visited. Although a fictional story, the book has important messages to encourage the children to help protect the forests and wildlife of Borneo.
The Education Team’s journey to the schools is not always easy. The schools in remote villages are often quite far from the BNF head office in Palangka Raya. After driving overland, the team then navigate a network of rivers in small boats (or ‘klotoks’), usually in the intense heat of the day. But, the sun doesn’t dampen the spirits of our team who aim to bring new lessons and fun to the children at the village schools.
On arrival our Education Team are welcomed enthusiastically by the children and teachers. They have expressed their happiness for our visit, as there has never been an activity like this, that provides education about the environment and wildlife to children at the school. “This visit is the first time for us, and we are very proud and pleased to be chosen as one of the schools visited by Borneo Nature Foundation” said Mr Sajidin, the Principal of SDN 1 Kameloh Baru School.
The team still has a long list of schools that have requested the ‘Gibbon Goes To School’ programme. Support from you in the form of donations or as an EducationVolunteer will help make this programme more effective. We really hope volunteers with a dedication in the field of education will join our team so we can reach out to more schools and children in the area.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to this programme, please email us at [email protected].
