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Internationally renowned primatologist, Dr Jane Goodall, visited Singapore in late 2006 to speak to students and teachers about Roots and Shoots® (R&S)—a programme that engages and inspires youths through community service initiatives.
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Dr Jane Goodall regales her audience with an anecdote about the gorilla’s body language. |
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Having done groundbreaking work on animal behaviour, started an international conservation organisation and even inspired a Hollywood blockbuster movie Gorillas in the Mist, one would be hard pressed to search for something that Dr Goodall has not accomplished! Yet, Dr Goodall is tireless in her efforts to inspire the individual to take informed and compassionate action in improving the environment. Hence, the essence of her speech at National Junior College in November—any one small act could have a tremendous impact on the fragile environment and the global community.
Firm Foundations
In the overall education and holistic development of the Singapore student, there has always been an emphasis on conservation and care for the environment. In line with the curriculum, there are numerous conservation projects initiated by schools and Science clubs, which include recycling, energy and water conservation.
Roots & Shoots® is the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI) environmental and humanitarian education programme which supports youth of all ages in projects that benefit people, animals and the environment. Members identify problems in their communities and beyond, and then take action via projects ranging from beach clean-ups to international campaigns, on behalf of endangered species. Ever since Dr Goodall founded the programme in 1991, there have been more than 8,000 groups registered in 96 countries.
She explains the origins of the name, “roots are the firm foundations of any plant and shoots may be tiny but they can break through brick walls. These are the social and environmental problems we now face.” The R&S network fosters a fun, flexible and supportive environment where young people and adults alike, can come together to share ideas and inspiration, implement successful community service projects and participate in special events and global campaigns.
Conservation Campaign
Singapore’s own Hwa Chong Institution joined R&S in December 2005. The founding chairman, Woon Wei Seng, a Sec 4 student passionate about conservation and the environment, had initiated a conservation project together with his then biology teacher, Mr Goh Yan Yih. Their team organised an inter-disciplinary study for 140 Sec 3 boys, which included an introduction to the biodiversity of the flora and fauna along a stretch of Changi Beach. They also investigated indicators of the effects of pollution, after which a beach clean-up was held.
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Dr Goodall chats with teachers on encouraging environmental awareness among students. |
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Within the Hwa Chong campus, the group held an exhibition during Kindness Week in which they urged their peers to be kind to the environment. There were pictures and displays of their combined study on Changi Beach’s biodiversity and conservation. Ms Koe Heong Yin, Director of Ortus Consortium at Hwa Chong Institution says, “The team also organised a student sabbatical on Biodiversity and Conservation, during which they introduced other students to issues concerning conservation and preservation, visited the Raffles Museum, and organised a talk on Waste Management.”
Connections in the Community
In fact, Hwa Chong Institution’s R&S members even proceeded to educate younger students on the importance of preservation. They organised an 'Environment Week' for Nanyang Primary (NYPS). There was an exhibition, a bookmark design activity (on conservation), clean-up of a park, quizzes and talks.
Ms Koe hopes Hwa Chong’s R&S members can network with other schools/institutions involved in the R&S programme in Singapore. She remarks, “Currently we seem to be the only local school who are members. We hope to work with the Singapore American School (SAS) which is also a member. With this network, we can look into having a bigger do on the issues pertinent to the programme.”
The group is also “looking forward to the establishment of the JGI”. Muses Ms Koe, “With their presence here, it would probably be easier to work on the R&S platform.”
Hope for the Future
Despite the continuing destruction and seemingly increasing apathy, there are
reasons for hope, insists Dr Goodall.
It is all about making positive changes—for communities, animals and the environment. As Dr Goodall stressed in her speech, R&S is “about bringing hope to young people.” Nevertheless, it is “the indomitable human spirit” that gives her great hope, “Wherever there’s a need for help in the world, you’ll find a group of people who will work hard to help.”
How can Singaporean youth be part of that group? Go to www.rootsandshoots.org and www.janegoodall.org for some interesting ideas.
Dr Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation in 1977. Initially aimed at providing support for field research on chimpanzees, the Institute’s current mission is to advance the power of the individual to take action to improve the environment. Although best known for protecting chimpanzees and their habitats, JGI is also widely recognised for establishing innovative conservation and development programmes which centre on the communities in Africa.
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Dr Goodall trades ideas with some NUS High School students after her talk. |
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Two other groups in Hwa Chong Institution—a group of Secondary 4 students and another from Secondary 3, and who were working on two different projects—later joined the R&S group in their school. Ms Koe elaborates, “One group focused on educating the public to prevent animal abuse and developed two documentaries with the mentorship of Association of Singapore Dogs (ASD)—one documenting their own learning journey, the other, on the effects of animal abuse. At least one of these has been uploaded on the ASD website. The other group is currently working with a group of Orang Asli (aborigines) in Johor, Malaysia.
Through their involvement with Roots and Shoots®, Hwa Chong Institution hopes that its students and teachers become more aware of conservation and other humanitarian programmes. Ms Koe emphasises that the group would like to “lend and garner support on what we are passionate about. This is also a great platform for students and teachers to network with a specific purpose.” In conclusion, Hwa Chong Institution’s participation is motivated by the simple aim that students need to realise the impact and power of combined efforts on a global level.
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