Children as Conservation Catalysts: The Role of Education in Biodiversity in Benin

By Cidee Despi

Moustapha Arèmou Kolawole is a blogger and environmental activist from Benin who is passionate about biodiversity conservation. He is the founder of a project that aims to educate children and schoolchildren in the commune of Pobè about the importance of biodiversity and the threats it faces. In his conversation with CoalitionWILD, Moustapha talks about his project, what motivated him to launch it, the challenges he has faced, and the impact he hopes to achieve.

Moustapha’s E-biodiversity project was launched with the aim of raising awareness and educating children about the importance of biodiversity conservation. He noticed that there was a lack of biodiversity education in the primary schools of the Pobèregion in Benin. Moustapha and his team decided to launch a project that would contribute to the fight against the threats to biodiversity conservation.

Moustapha’s passion for biodiversity conservation is rooted in his experience of seeing the human actions that threaten the environment. He believes that it is important to demand the conservation of nature and to educate people, especially children, about the importance of biodiversity conservation. Moustapha’s project is aimed at children aged 8 to 13, as he believes that they are the best age group to teach about the importance of biodiversity conservation.

The project was launched in 2020 and was at stage zero. Moustapha’s participation in the 2021 EXCELerator cohort and the subsequent EXCELerator Intensive helped him to make progress in the project. The program provided mentorship and support, and Moustapha was able to make the necessary reforms to launch the project. The program also helped him to launch the project on a larger scale.

“The EXL program has improved my leadership, citizen participation, project management, interpersonal and communication skills,” he shared. “My project started as a simple idea in 2020. It has been part of different sessions with the mentorship program. Without the program my project would be at the beginning stages.”

Moustapha’s project has received a lot of help and support along the way. The mentorship provided by the EXCELerator program has been instrumental in meeting the project’s needs. The technical contribution of CoalitionWILD  has also been helpful in the implementation of the project.

The biggest challenge that Moustapha has faced is the need to start the project on time. However, since the beginning of the project, he has seen a lot of interest from the population, especially the schools and directors. Teachers have also shown a lot of interest in the project, and they have proposed that the project be extended to cover more schools. Environmental bodies in the city have also expressed their interest in the project.

Moustapha’s long-term plan for the project is to continue impacting the community step by step. He hopes to bring the necessary skills to the community through the EXCELerator program to continue making a difference. The goal of the project is to educate schoolchildren aged 8 to 13 about the importance of biodiversity conservation and to encourage them to implement everyday actions for the protection of biodiversity.

Moustapha’s project has changed his life in many ways. Launching and managing the project has taught him a lot about the importance of education and training. He has learned that it is important to come together for youth work and to listen to speeches from community leaders. The project has also given him a sense of purpose, and he is proud to be making a difference in his community.

“I wish to have an eco-responsible future generation,” Moustapha shared. “It is my fight today. Don’t forget that we only have one planet and we need to protect it.”

Moustapha’s E-biodiversity project is an excellent example of how one person can make a difference in their community. By educating children about the importance of biodiversity conservation, Moustapha hopes to create a generation that is aware of the importance of protecting the environment. His project has received a lot of support and is making progress. Moustapha hopes to continue making a difference in his community, and his project is a step in the right direction.

Cidee Despi

CoalitionWILD Communications and Marketing Officer

Cidee Despi hopes to embody compassion that inspires action. As a development sector professional, she is committed to making social impact where she can, especially when it comes to her areas of interest: the youth, gender and development, and social justice to name a few. She has occupied various roles, from communications and partnerships to project and program management, all in support of impact-driven organizations. On the side, she writes about culture and politics. Currently, she is pursuing her law degree at the University of the Philippines.