AWF AND WCK CELEBRATE OVER 250 YOUNG WINNERS AT THE INAUGURAL SHUJAA ZONE COMPETITION

Empowering the next generation of African conservation leaders through creativity and education

Voi, Taita Taveta, 1st November 2025 - The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) today celebrated the creativity and innovation of more than 250 Kenya’s young conservationists at the inaugural Shujaa Zone Competition Award Ceremony, held at Voi in Taita Taveta County.

The ceremony marked the culmination of a three-month competition that invited children and youth aged 7 to 17 from across Kenya’s Tsavo Landscape to creatively express their understanding of conservation issues and solutions through art, poetry, essays, photography, music, and dance. The event brought together over 300 participants, including students, educators, conservation partners, and representatives from county and national government institutions.

Launched in June 2025, the Shujaa Zone Competition is part of the Young Conservation Heroes Project, a four-year initiative implemented by AWF in partnership with WCK, with support from Bob and Emmy King. The project seeks to instill conservation values in learners across 137 schools and reach over 83,000 students by 2028. It combines environmental education with creative expression and practical action, enabling young people to become agents of change within their schools and communities.

This year’s competition attracted over 2,000 submissions from seven counties—Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta, and Kajiado—demonstrating the growing enthusiasm and leadership potential among Kenya’s youth. Winners were selected across five main categories—Artwork, Photography, Poetry, Essays, and Freestyle (music, drama, and dance)—alongside special awards recognizing the Best Wildlife Club Patron and the Best Club Project of the Year.

Speaking at the event, Simangele Msweli, Associate Director for Conservation Education and Youth Leadership at AWF, noted that the Shujaa Zone Competition exemplifies AWF’s commitment to building a generation of African conservation leaders as outlined in Goal 1 of AWF’s strategic plan—Leadership. “Through this competition, we are nurturing young Africans who not only understand the value of nature but are ready to lead its protection. These learners are demonstrating that conservation leadership does not need to wait for the “right age”, it can begin in classrooms, be strengthened through creativity, and grow into community action,” she said.

Dr. George Njagi, Director of Conservation Education and Awareness Programmes at WCK, highlighted that the initiative reinforces Kenya’s long tradition of conservation education. He emphasized that the competition reflects the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) by linking classroom learning to real-world environmental challenges. “By integrating conservation education into schools and co-curricular programs, we are inspiring children to think critically about sustainability and empowering them to take action in their communities. The creativity and insight shown by these learners is a strong indicator that Kenya’s future environmental stewards are already emerging,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Margaret Mereiyan, Senior Officer for Conservation Education at AWF, commended the exceptional quality of submissions and the personal connection many learners demonstrated with their environment. “These young people are telling their own conservation stories—stories drawn from their daily lives, their landscapes, and their aspirations for the future. Their creativity reminds us that conservation is not just a scientific pursuit but a human story about belonging, care, and responsibility,” she noted.

The Shujaa Zone Competition stands as a cornerstone of AWF’s and WCK’s shared vision of people-centered conservation, ensuring that the next generation understands that protecting nature goes hand in hand with improving livelihoods and building sustainable communities. By nurturing environmental consciousness from an early age, the initiative is helping shape a generation that values both wildlife and the ecosystems that sustain Africa’s prosperity.

About the African Wildlife Foundation  
The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for protecting wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 during the African independence movement to build our capacity to steward our natural resources, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision. It bridges science, education, public policy, and field programs to demonstrate the benefits of conservation and build a future for Africa where people and wildlife thrive.  

About the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya - Founded in 1968, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) began as a grassroots movement, driven by the passion of young conservationists eager to protect Kenya’s natural heritage. It stands as Africa’s pioneer in conservation education programs, dedicated to promoting conservation awareness among youth in and out of school.