Uganda Continued: Wildlife Club End of Year Party

Kasiisi Project Wildlife Club End of Year Party

Friday, 11 November 2011

The Kasiisi Project wanted to show appreciation for the efforts of all WLC patrons and members. We ended our 6-month pilot program with an end-of-year party for 5 school’s Wildlife Clubs (WLCs). The patrons planned all activities for 160 people, and the party was a success, plus it didn’t rain! We also stayed within our budget.

snacks, drinks, supplies

preparing the church

The celebration lasted from 2-5pm. All WLC leaders (patrons) decided they wanted to have the party together at one school, which would mean they would have to walk because transport could not be afforded in the budget. All schools walked to Kigarama Primary School, one school as far as 6 miles to get there, and they arrived early! (They were given a ride home). As schools were arriving, members sung the “World Above the Ground” song that was taught during the year as a WLC activity about what lives in the forest canopy. Margaret of Kibale Fuel Wood Project motivated the members to sing with pride.

Once all schools were gathered in the church on school grounds, we ran out to the field to play games like tug-of-war, sack races, jump roping races, and a creative carnivore/ herbivore/ human disturbance tag game that the patrons developed. All schools and genders were mixed up into teams to promote unity. It was a thrill to see the excitement and smiles from the students and patrons – there was happiness in the air.

patrons keeping score - though no one was declared winner at end

Back at the church, drinks and snacks were passed around energetically. We had a gorging session of juice, popcorn, ground nuts (aka peanuts), and biscuits (cookies similar to animal crackers). Then a patron shared his knowledge on salt mining to the members. We had a small ceremony to congratulate all schools. Rweteera Primary School, the first to build/grow/promote indigenous tree nursery beds donated 5 tree seedlings to each school, and 1 to each patron and Kasiisi staff (me and Francis). Then I handed out a laminated picture collage to each school to show my gratitude for their hard work and dedication to wildlife. Pencils were given to each student. And finally, we watched the first half of a conservation video about the Serengeti. Besides a small technology glitch, the day ran smoothly and was a blast!