Hey there, fellow ocean enthusiasts and lovers of all things marine life! As we prepare ourselves for this years Bahari Yetu Festival we reflect on last year, focusing in particular on the kids that the festival was held for. Can you picture a scene where 360 radiant smiles light up Shella village as children from 18 schools from across the Lamu archipelago gather to celebrate the beauty of the ocean? From as far as the distant islands of Kiwayuu and Pate, these eager young minds journeyed to Shella for a day filled with wonder, learning, and fun activities.
It wasn't just a festival; it was a transformative experience where the magic of the ocean ignited their curiosity and reverence for nature. We would like to give huge thanks to the phenomenal support from school sponsors; Tusk Trust, Peponi Hotel, Leopardess Foundation, Sally Dudmesh Jewelry, Edd & Annabelle from the Manda Project, Mary Stone representing the Island Children's Fund, Away to Africa, Kijani Hotel & Restaurant, Wetlands International, and an anonymous benefactor.
The kids not only enjoyed in fun activities and competitions such as the recycled art, sand sculpture, magari ya miti (recycled car races) and zidau ya mwau (model dhow race). Each school was represented in the talent show; presenting ocean or conservation themed poetry, songs and local dances.
But wait, there's more! This year, we're setting sail towards new horizons by extending the festivities beyond just a single day. Enter the Uvuvi day—an ode to fisheries, sustainable livelihoods, and the intricate dance between humans and the sea. Join us as we delve deeper into the crucial role of fisheries in coastal communities and explore avenues for a more sustainable future.
Workshops will pave the way, guiding us towards the grand finale of the festival. It's not just about celebrating the ocean's wonders but also about nurturing a community of ocean guardians who will champion conservation efforts for generations to come. These workshops include conservation photography for 20 kids, which was held this week in partnership with TonyWild and sponsored by the Portuguese Embassy. We plan to hold a NEWF Storytelling and Cinematography Lab for 5 youths from Lamu to produce a short film on the local community and their connection to the ocean and/or environment. Least us not forget our educators, we also hope to hold a one day ocean literacy training event in partnership with KMFRI to equip teachers with relevant ocean knowledge to pass to their communities.
Are you eager to be part of a movement that champions marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods? We need your support to help make this festival happen, for more details visit the Bahari Yetu Fetsival page on our website. Let's embark on this oceanic adventure together, creating ripples of change that will echo far beyond the shores of Lamu.
This festival is organised in partnership with East African Ocean Explorers.
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