Our awareness programme in Jambiani strengthens environmental understanding in the local community through targeted education, hands-on experience, and active on-site involvement. It builds knowledge and skills so that participants—especially net fishers, boat captains, and schoolchildren—can become environmental ambassadors in their communities.
The program began as an educational initiative for secondary school students; today, it focuses primarily on net fishers who work in the lagoon every day, as well as boat captains employed by dive centres.
In our two-day programme, we combine theory and practice: we teach the basics of ecology and bring what participants have learned to life through excursions and field activities. Participants learn how climate change, coral loss, and marine pollution specifically affect their livelihoods and what they can do about it. The program also addresses sustainable behaviours in everyday life, such as responsible waste management and fishing practices. Beach and lagoon cleanups strengthen a sense of community and demonstrate immediate results.
As part of the awareness programme, we show fishers, boat captains, and students where marinecultures.org is active and what concrete impact we’re making on the ground. Participants visit the Ushirika Cooperative’s sponge farms and the marinecultures.org coral farm.
Up to 60 children can attend the theory sessions. The students actively take part in the discussions, ask questions, and share their own experiences of the coastal ecosystem.
