Celebrating Africa’s Giants Program
The Anne Innis Dagg Foundation administers this program through our African-based partner Wild Nature Institute (WNI). The funding includes the full employment of the AID Foundation Coordinators. Our flagship initiative provides resources and a living wage to top performing, post-secondary graduates from Tanzania. They gain experience working with two highly accomplished scientists doing the largest field study of giraffes in the world. The coordinators are from the local community and they understand how important it is to deliver the message of wildlife protection and conservation to the local school children.
The coordinator works with local children to increase their understanding of giraffes and other animals in the wild. It includes 2 park visits/month with about 10 kids each trip, 3 giraffe Fun Days at schools with hundreds of kids participating each day, and ongoing classroom visits and tree planting activities.
Funding Result:
Our very first AID Foundation Coordinator, Veila Makundi, implemented the 'Celebrating Africa's Giants' education program for WNI and the 'Living in Harmony With Your Natural Surroundings' education program for PAMS Foundation in primary and secondary schools throughout the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem in Tanzania. Veila created educational materials, trained teachers, provided classroom instruction, and organized school and community events to celebrate wildlife and nature. Veila hails from Morogoro and is currently based at Wild Nature Institute's field office in Mto wa Mbu. Strong support for this program allowed us to hire an additional coordinator, Jackline Mlacha. Jackline was born and raised in Mto wa Mbu and graduated from the University of Dodoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Her addition to the team allowed for considerable expansion to the program.
While in Mto wa Mbu in July 2023, Dr. Dagg visited a school where Veila demonstrated a giraffe-inspired art project and children beamed with enthusiasm. The next day, a gathering of 30 kids from the school joined Anne on a field trip to Tarangire National Park. Transportation, park entry, lunch and binoculars were all provided by the AID Foundation. Anne was so moved to see the excitement and wonder on the faces of the kids as they rushed from side to side in the bus to catch a glimpse of their country’s majestic animals in their habitat. We’re sure this experience will inspire future conservationists and allies in Anne’s efforts to save giraffe.
