Roots and Shoots on the Ground

-The Jane Goodall institute in Kigoma also has a division that promotes HIV education and family planning. UKIMWI is the Swahili word for HIV/AIDS.

The Jane Goodall Institute has also founded numerous education and conservation initiatives that have greatly evolved in the last twenty years. Roots and Shoots clubs were launched in Dar Es Salaam and Kigoma as educational motivation that advanced care and concern for animals, the environment and the human community. Now roots and shoots is active in over 100 countries.

It mostly works with school children, who are facilitated by a peer or teacher volunteer to root-out a club vision that is relevant to their community. They select their own leadership amongst themselves, including the role of an investigative journalist who will track their work and the state of affairs in their community. Then the children become advocates for their vision, for educating others and for building a sense of responsibility for their environment and its people.

I have already written of this initiative a few times now, but will continue to emphasize my support. When people, especially children are called forth to participate in decision making it is much more likely that the initiative will be effective. I will later expound upon this notion of participatory assessment and its particular importance for disadvantaged communities. Refugees, for example, must be allowed to participate in the decisions, findings and protection of their unique communities. Especially women, otherwise they will likely be exploited.
Roots and Shoots were previously working with children in one of the camps that was recently closed. And although the refugees who were consolidated into new camps are no longer in contact with an official structured club, because the program was 'student run' some students continue to share their knowledge. He showed me drawings from students who once learned about health and the environment through the roots and shoots program, and who still promote the information they were entrusted.



Here are a few examples of their work/social messages from letters they sent to the Program manager, their friend:

- Don't just cut trees, plant them.


- Hunting/poaching is not sustainable. Raising your own animals is.


- Don't go to the bathroom outside where your waste will contaminate the environment you live from. Build a proper long-drop instead.