Conservation Education Near Mountain Gorilla Habitats – Photography Inspiring Children in Conservation

Partnering with the Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative and the Bwindi Plus Primary School in Buhoma, Uganda, our PICC team spent an exciting week with local children, educators, parents and elders. Together, we explored information about mountain gorillas, the children learned how to take photos with a DSLR camera and use photography for conservation awareness, and gained skills in making sketches of wildlife and storytelling. One hundred and fifty children of the Bwindi Plus Primary School and 20 students in the Rafiki Art program amazed us with their knowledge, artistic abilities, and stories of local wildlife. Joyful dancing and drumming was a constant part of the students’ celebrations of being at school and appreciating these learning opportunities.

The aim of Photography Inspiring Children in Conservation (PICC, 501c3), is to provide skills, knowledge and resources to children and communities that live alongside wild primates, so that they are empowered to implement primate conservation approaches in their daily lives and to develop future conservation-compatible careers. Our goal is to educate students in primate biology, behavior and conservation issues through photography, illustration and storytelling, improving knowledge and inspiring appreciation of the ecological, cultural, and economic value to their communities when protecting primates and their habitats.

To help us expand this educational opportunity to more remote villages in the mountains of Bwindi, please go to our webpage or write us directly: PICC.director@gmail.com

The mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park were the focus of our latest coloring and activity book for conservation education. The activity book was authored and illustrated by PICC Director Kathy West and co-authored and translated by Ugandan conservationist Mushamba Moses. A free PDF is available here.

Each child received their own copy of the book along with colored pencils and blank art notebooks. It was a heart-warming sight to see children running around the community with their book in hand many days after the classes were finished.

Along with receiving their own blank notebook and colored pencils, the students were encouraged to use the professional bird and mammal guidebooks we provided as references to be scientifically accurate in their drawings.

The Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative is directed by conservationist, artist, musician and educator Mushamba Moses, pictured here with Bwindi Plus Primary students during the PICC session. Mushamba led the lectures and taught the students in their local Rukiga dialect using the conservation coloring book that he co-authored. He plans to reprint the books and expand the educational opportunities to more remote schools in the mountain villages.

The Bwindi Plus Primary School students have permanent access to their own DSLR Canon cameras at the school. During the PICC session a small group of students were coached in more detailed knowledge of camera settings, light, composition, and communication using photography. The images below were taken by these 9-12 year old students – amazing!

(top left) Photo by Brian, Bwindi Plus student; (top right) Photo by Dian, Bwindi Plus student; (bottom right) Photo by Travy, Bwindi Plus student; (bottom) Photo by Agaba, Bwindi Plus student

On Sunday following the PICC session, the students and school staff returned to the school to celebrate their creative works. Artwork, stories, coloring pages and photographs were displayed as a “gallery show” and the students enjoyed seeing their classmates’ creations. The celebration culminated in a drum and dance party and a special treat of sodas and bread rolls.

Congratulations to all the students for learning so much and becoming PICC Conservation Ambassadors for Mountain Gorillas!

Thanks to PICC team members:

Mushamba Moses, Rafiki Director; Kathy West, PICC Director; Tammy Rowe, Mangofish Studios filmmaker; Stuart Hooper, Mangofish Studios filmmaker; PICC assistant teacher Ed West; and Belgian engineering students Douwe De Vestele, Hannah Lozie, and Michiel Devolder.