Teaching Survival: Zimbabwe's Children Brave Wildlife for Education

Esther Bote, a 14-year-old girl from southeastern Zimbabwe, faces daily dangers on her walk to school due to close encounters with wildlife. The Save Valley Conservancy has initiated a program teaching children about animal behavior and safety, hoping to foster coexistence between humans and wildlife, and ensuring their safety.

On the perilous outskirts of a wildlife conservancy in southeastern Zimbabwe, 14-year-old Esther Bote begins her day at dawn. Following her morning chores, she dons her school uniform and embarks on a 5-kilometer journey through forests teeming with dangerous wildlife to reach her school.

Children in the region, some as young as five, face similar risks daily. “Sometimes we see animal footprints, and we know the elephants are close by,” Esther told The Associated Press from her home, where she lives with her grandparents.

Recurrent droughts exacerbated by climate change have intensified resource competition between humans and wildlife. To mitigate risks, the Save Valley Conservancy has introduced training for school-aged children to identify danger signs and understand animal behavior. This education aims to cultivate a sense of coexistence and safety among the youth.