Jane Goodall is one of the most inspiring and dedicated woman of our time. She was just like any other girl whose mother told her 'you can do whatever you set your mind to.' Except, when Jane was 22 and had the opportunity to go to Kenya - she seized it. Her energy and passion towards animals led her to assist Louis Leakey, the famed archaeologist and paleontologist. It was he that asked her to take on the study of a group of chimpanzees in western Tanzania. This area is now Gombe Stream National Park, a world renowned haven for chimpanzees and home to the Jane Goodall Institute.
However much Goodall would like to be out in the forest each day - she travels 300 days a year, giving talks in schools and conferences about the critical nature of our era. Jane usually greets her audience in chimpanzee, and always travels with a stuffed chimp called Mr. H, her gentle, yet determined nature makes her one of the most inspirational and eloquent speakers I have ever seen. I had the great fortune of seeing her speak during the fall of my senior year of high school. I remember that I went alone, not quite knowing what I was in for. Within the short talk she had convinced me of the great importance of my role here, and she gave place to the energy of my youth, which somehow felt stifled by my little high school existence.
However much Goodall would like to be out in the forest each day - she travels 300 days a year, giving talks in schools and conferences about the critical nature of our era. Jane usually greets her audience in chimpanzee, and always travels with a stuffed chimp called Mr. H, her gentle, yet determined nature makes her one of the most inspirational and eloquent speakers I have ever seen. I had the great fortune of seeing her speak during the fall of my senior year of high school. I remember that I went alone, not quite knowing what I was in for. Within the short talk she had convinced me of the great importance of my role here, and she gave place to the energy of my youth, which somehow felt stifled by my little high school existence.
"Every individual counts.
Every individual has a role to play.
Every individual makes a difference."
Every individual has a role to play.
Every individual makes a difference."
It was this talk that validated my thirst to do something different after high school. Having such an ordinary, plain Jane woman of such immense humanity and nobility stand before a disquieted teenager offered a great deal of hope. I promptly began searching for the right organization to volunteer with and read a few of her books, I recommend "A Reason for Hope."
The Jane Goodall institute has been working on the Roots and Shoots program since the early 1990s. The work is primarily with schools, working with teachers on how to incorporate notions of conservation in the classroom.
"The global Roots & Shoots program is about empowering young people to take action through service projects—creating positive change for people, animals and the environment."
The program emphasizes the role of the student, their thoughts, ideas and hopes as well as using experiential learning to engage the learner. Instead of teaching about fish, teachers can take students to fish markets where they can engage with the topic with all their senses. Then they can talk about different breeds, their origins, life cycles and most importantly, how to conserve their species and environment. Youth's connection and awareness surrounding food is used by many progressive educators as a compelling way to teach responsibility and interconnectedness. Goodall's recent books have been focused on mindful living and eating - "Harvest for Hope" is just one of the titles.
"The global Roots & Shoots program is about empowering young people to take action through service projects—creating positive change for people, animals and the environment."
The program emphasizes the role of the student, their thoughts, ideas and hopes as well as using experiential learning to engage the learner. Instead of teaching about fish, teachers can take students to fish markets where they can engage with the topic with all their senses. Then they can talk about different breeds, their origins, life cycles and most importantly, how to conserve their species and environment. Youth's connection and awareness surrounding food is used by many progressive educators as a compelling way to teach responsibility and interconnectedness. Goodall's recent books have been focused on mindful living and eating - "Harvest for Hope" is just one of the titles.
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