Conservation Nature in Tanzania
by Zuhura Ahmad
Background
My name is Zuhura Ahmad, a young scientist teacher for chemistry and biology. Since 2019, I have been an active volunteer for the Tanzania youth biodiversity network & earthday.org Tanzania chapter that is active on biodiversity plus empowering youth to lead the shift that will enable society to live in harmony with nature and to demonstrate support for environmental protection respectively. With the team, I have managed to raise awareness to students, entrepreneurs and youth from schools and universities, inspiring and encouraging them to volunteer for a cleaner and greener environment.
I have also created some art that spread information about living a sustainable life. I currently work with women on a recycling foundation to empower women through environmental recycling activities, fostering thriving communities in which all fully participate and develop freely waste society. In 2021 I participate essay competition organized by the African youth initiative on climate change. By participating in this competition I was able to be the 1-time national winner representing Tanzania. I have always believed that Environmental education should be a call to duty and action to combat climate change.
Passion
From a very young age in high school, I had a strong passion for the environment. This is when I started to volunteer under the United Nation school club. I continued to gain relevant experience at environmental projects and through wide-ranging involvement with youth environmental organizations, especially the Tanzania youth biodiversity network.
I remember one Saturday there was a clean up at Msasani beach in Dar es salaam, and I had a test on Monday at Morogoro. I had to participate in the cleanup and then go back to Morogoro for the test and studies without fail. So, that is how I have been driven by my passion. I feel there is no barrier working for the sake of a sustainable future while working for a teaching career, since the environment is where we all meet and run our careers.
Problems
Lack of awareness and information about environmental friendly and resilience for Planet Earth.
Mismanagement of waste along the road, which results in death or eruption of diseases like cholera.
Plastic pollution along the beaches affect marine organisms.
Lack of inclusion of women in recycling activities that will combat waste pollution.
Solutions
I plan and distribute tasks. having a volunteering team has been essential to raise awareness and spreading information to the students, especially students at Mazimbu A and B Primary School. having information on how and why to conserve their living environment enables them to be a good ambassador for climate change.
On ground clean-up action with a message that "the way you manage waste at the campus, tells us a lot about your off-campus life". This helps to remind youth about waste management at campus and off campus.
Building the capacity of women by giving them skills on how to manage waste and recycling in their community, to help to create a society free from waste pollution.
Generally seeing myself and the community celebrate sustainable life imparts the value of stewardship.
Lastly let me leave you with this message:
“Think locally and act globally. When you start it is common to be discouraged when you analyse a global environmental problem. It seems impossible. But there is the reality, you are part of the community that knows you, contains you and believes in you. You know your country, you love it and you know it is important for your life. So start by thinking about small actions in your community, in your neighbourhood, in your family or in your school since little actions do matter and go a long way.”
About
Scientist teacher (chemistry and biology) passionate about environmental conservation and art with relevant experience gained at environmental projects and through wide-ranging involvement with youth environmental organizations. Zuhura is a volunteer of Tanzania youth biodiversity network, an organization that is active on biodiversity and empowering youth to lead the shift that will enable society to live harmoniously with nature. She is an Earth Day.Org Tanzania volunteer and ambassador of my future my voice at earthday.org. She won Earth day contest 2020 organized by Nipe fagio environmental organization based in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. 1-time national winner of the African Youth Initiative on climate change. She currently is a women on recycling foundation advocacy manager, a foundation that focuses on building capacity and empower women through environmental recycling activities, thriving communities, in which all fully participate and develop freely waste society.