There is never a dull moment at Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ). Recently the CLZ premises were treated to an exciting makeover from a team of art students from the UK. As always, the lovely Sarah Davies was kind enough to tell us about the entire project.
Until now local school children who visit the CLZ Environmental Education Centre have slept in dormitories with bunk-beds and blank walls. Recently, three art students from the UK, Georgie James, Lily Gallagher and Jen Gardner raised funds to help CLZ afford a new lick of paint.
Premises come to life with colourThe dormitory bedrooms have been redesigned under the themes: water, plants, land and animals, with beautiful illustrations showing the importance of each natural resource in the Lower Zambezi. The corridor, once dull and bare is now an atlas! Children can use the four maps of the World, Africa, Zambia and the Lower Zambezi to understand exactly where they are in the World. In the library illustrations and quotes inspire children to learn from books and even the ablution block encourage children to live healthily through wall murals.
There is now a fantastic natural history museum with graphically designed and professionally printed posters of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects of the Lower Zambezi. These detail the threats which the environment faces together with potential solutions.
Fragile Future competitionAmongst the creative team responsible for the overhaul were the winners of the “Fragile Future” poster design competition at Mugurameno and Chiawa Basic Schools in the Chiawa Game Management Area. Winners stayed at the CLZ Environmental Education Centre for the weekend and designed and created the dormitory doors.
The girls club at Chiawa Basic School also helped to paint doors during a visit to CLZ which was sponsored by Cherri Briggs, Explore Africa. During the visit, the girls learnt about the importance of the eco-system of the area, the threats it faces and what we can do to protect it.
SponsorshipHuge thanks go to Mr Andrew Bawden of Prozam Paints for giving CLZ a huge discount of over 50% on all of the paint. Also to Diane at Signs of the Times for pledging a 50% discount for the posters, Zambeef for a very generous donation towards costs, and Mr Lloyd Weber and Ms Finola Dickie who lent their artistic skills during the project. And of course the girls themselves who have worked tirelessly and enthusiastically, climbing on barrels and stinking of thinners for three weeks!
More information on Conservation Lower Zambezi is here.
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