EDUCATION
Inspiring and empowering the next generation of scientists, conservationists, and changemakers through youth-focused learning and mentorship.
Funding Results:
The Junior Giraffe Club (JGC) is a global community dedicated to empowering the next generation of conservation leaders. Founded by pioneering giraffologist Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, it was built on her belief that passion and perseverance can change the world.
The club invites young people from around the world to explore their curiosity about the natural world. Members gain unique access to a diverse network of mentors including researchers, university students and high school students who are passionate about conservation and serve as facilitators for the club. Real-world experts such as biologists, conservationists, zookeepers, authors and wildlife photographers speak to our members nine times a year in a virtual setting at no cost to our members.
The JGC fosters a deep commitment to biodiversity and recognizes every child as a vital voice for the future of our planet.
Anne and Mary Dagg first met Sinyati Robert Richard Laizer in 2023. Born in Sellela village in Monduli district Arusha region in Tanzania, she has five brothers and was the only one in her family to go to both primary and secondary school. She is a proud Maasai and loves her culture. Supported by the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation, Sinyati became the first woman from her tribe to attend university.
Sinyati had to adjust to lecture-style learning and wearing non-traditional attire that varies from day to day. Contracting malaria and typhoid were additional challenges both financially and physically for her. Flooding forced her mother to return home from work, which prevented her from providing support to Sinyati for a time.
Now in her third year at the University of Dodoma in Tanzania, she is pursuing a BA in Sociology. Upon graduation, Sinyati intends to dedicate her career to community development initiatives.
Professor Fred provides giraffe and general wildlife facts in the form of videos and shorts. Hosted by comparative wildlife biologist and board member of the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation, Dr. Fred Bercovitch, the aim of the series is to provide giraffe facts in a fun and informative way on the AID Foundation’s YouTube channel.
Fred Bercovitch received a PhD from UCLA based upon his 19 month study of baboons in Kenya. Since that time, he has studied giraffes, rhesus monkeys, African elephants, koalas, wild dogs, and other mammals in the wild and in zoos. His expertise is comparative wildlife biology combined with a passion for education mixed with entertainment.
Veila Makundi was hired as the very first Education Coordinator with Wild Nature Institute due to the contributions of the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation and our donors.
Veila obtained her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management at Sokoine University of Agriculture, and worked as a primary school teacher and a field research assistant studying African pouched rats before joining our partner, Wild Nature Institute.
Veila creates educational materials, trains teachers, provides classroom instruction, and organizes school and community events to celebrate wildlife and nature.
Veila implements 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 hails from Morogoro and is based at Wild Nature Institute's field office in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. She is also a Facilitator for the Junior Giraffe Club.
While in Mto wa Mbu in July 2023, Dr. Dagg visited a school where Veila demonstrated a giraffe-inspired art project. 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.
