Education Initiatives

  No reintroduction programme would succeed without the support of the community. A strong education programme with the authorities and the community of La Pintada is in place which will be developed to include the communities and schools of Jerico. 

Education Program

We continuously work with schools (children and teachers), reinforceing the education activities in the rehabilitation centre.

Workshops

We organise educational workshops with teachers to encourage the knowledge about global warming, extinction of species, recycling, pollution and how to help to prevent.  With children we are working the same topics but using the red howler monkey for reference - how we can help to protect the monkeys homes (recycling, care the natural resources, saving water and electricity, etc).  

Schools

Since the beginning of the year the project is working with teachers and children about new environmental topics.  In June we started working in Jericó, visiting the schools in urban area and rural areas.  We are presenting ECOSANTAFÈ, what we do, where is it, how they can help us, etc.  In Jericó there are more schools than La Pintada so this work is long but it is important.  In the visits we are looking at what environmental education is in place and how we can help. 

We develop new content and activities with schools for the year.  The years activities culminate in the  

Red Howler Festival

Since 2007 the Wildlife Protection Foundation has funded the annual Red Howler Festival, which brings together schools and the local community with Santa Fe Zoo in Medellin. In 2008 more than 1300 children, together with their teachers participated in the celebration enjoying camping, games, colouring, music helping people recognize Ecosantafe as an organisation, which works for the environment and increases the love for Red Howler Monkeys.

This event happened throughout schools and in the community ending with a civic event which recognises the children for their commitment with environment.  These children received a badge with a phrase “Mérito aullador” and a diploma.      The topic of the festival changes but centres around   “Water, forest and red howler monkey”. 

The groups of primary school (children between 6 to 12 years old) will perform plays, dances, sing and other things about red howler monkeys and the environment, which the prepare with their teachers ready for the festival day.  The third age group (people between 50 to more years old) take part to, and the meeting of generations means the children and older adults can share their experiences, knowledge and emotions. 

The children get prizes, certificates, food and drink throughout the day -- just a day of fun. In 2007/8 the Wildlife Protection also provided T-shirts for the event.