Catholic Sisters lead environmental awareness effo...

Catholic Sisters lead environmental awareness efforts in rural Zim

**AMR Secondary School Head, Mildred Chiriseri**

The Servants of Mary the Queen, known by their Latin abbreviation AMR (Ancillae Mariae Reginae), are making significant strides in environmental conservation taking proactive measures to engage young students and foster environmental awareness in Lupane and Binga.

This comes in the wake of increased human-wildlife conflict and illegal exploitation of natural resources in the two areas that lie on a wildlife belt consisting of the big five species.

The recent Binga environmental awareness marathon held under the theme “Running for our wildlife conservation,” organised by the AMR sisters, exemplifies their commitment to instilling environmental values in the youth.

“What informed the decision to organise the students to take part in the Binga environmental awareness marathon was that the marathon’s values align with the school’s values, curriculum and long-term goals of environmental awareness,” AMR Secondary School head, Sr. Mildred Chiriseri, said.

She emphasised the importance of teaching young learners to respect and protect the- environment from an early age. “Realising that we are stewards of creation we felt that it is our responsibility to care for and respect the environment.

“We saw the importance of teaching our learners when they are still young to recognise that the earth is a gift from God that needs to be protected. The response (from learners) is very positive as more learners are eager to take part in this year’s marathon.

“The school has an environmental club, and much emphasis is put on teaching learners the importance of protecting the environment. They are also taught the importance of recycling and growing trees and flowers to ensure the environment is protected.” she said the region, recognised by Unesco as part of the middle Zambezi biosphere, is renowned for its rich
biodiversity, yet it is threatened by activities such as poaching and overfishing. – The Environment