Zenzeleni Primary School learners share Owl Project experience with their Austrian counterparts
ALEXANDRA – The Owl Project was introduced at different schools in Alexandra a few years ago to educate people about the significance of owls on the environment.
The Owl Project coordinators and learners from participating local schools are optimistic with the success of a project aimed at minimising a high population of rats in Alexandra Township.
Zenzeleni Primary School Grade 7 learners who were involved in an Owls Project recently had an opportunity to share their experiences, interact and exchange knowledge with their Austrian counterparts via Skype communication.
The Owl Project was introduced in different school of Alexandra a few years ago to educate people about the significance of owls on the environment and their role keeping rats at bay.
In his presentation, 13-year-old Jimmy Tshini from the school gave a snapshot of livelihood in the township, “Alexandra is a township where there is a challenge of overpopulation, high rate of unemployment and poor service delivery. All these issues have contributed in attracting rats to the area. Community members have tried to minimise rats using poison but this had led to devastating results on the environment and children falling ill after they accidentally ate rat poison.
“We were then introduced to the Owl Project which taught us that owls were the best solution in minimising the high population of rats while being eco-friendly at the same time. The project has also taught us to become environment ambassadors in our community because it teaches us to care for it,” Jimmy said.
Owl Project coordinator in the area Delina Chipape told Alex News that learners from all participating schools were working hard to make the project a success.
“We recently had a Skype presentation at Marlboro Combined School with their counterparts in Austria as well. The commitment from these learners and school teachers to the project is amazing and I am hopeful that one day Alexandra will be a case study of success and a rats-free zone,” she said.
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