Celebrating Creativity: The "Play it Forward" Initiative

The "Play it Forward" initiative beautifully showcases the incredible power of creativity and collaboration among students. After participating in coaching conversation RAPS, students have the chance to express what they’ve learned in imaginative ways through songs, plays, poems, dances, raps, or presentations to audiences. This platform not only highlights their unique talents but also fosters teamwork, confidence, and innovation.

What’s truly inspiring is the enthusiasm these young minds bring to the activity. In 2024 alone, we have received an impressive 103 class submissions (skits,songs,and plays) and 513 individual submissions in the form of poems, essays and art drawings. The sheer volume reflects a profound understanding of the program’s core values and a genuine affection for their animal coaches. It’s heartwarming to witness how they channel empathy and creativity into their projects, transforming lessons into artistic expressions that resonate deeply.

As they engage in this joyful creative process, students aren’t just having fun; they’re developing invaluable skills such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. By playing it forward to different audiences, they ensure our core conservation messages reach beyond the classroom, engaging other classes and the broader community. This not only enhances the impact of their learning but also minimizes dilution of their messages so that the core values resonate widely. Winners from all three North West sub-regions (Maun, Gumare, and Shakawe) will enjoy a special bush day experience, highlighting the initiative's significance in advancing conservation efforts.

Through "Play it Forward," we’re not just witnessing creativity in action; we’re nurturing a generation of thoughtful, innovative thinkers ready to make their mark on the world while inspiring those around them. This initiative is a testament to the fact that our lessons are being understood empowering learners to re-teach and amplify the importance of conservation in meaningful ways.