The AfriOceans Warriors Environmental Education (AWESOME) Programme.
Programme Overview
Title of Programme: AfriOceans Warriors Environmental Education (AWESOME) Programme
Project Proponents: AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA)
Type of Organisation: Section 21 NonProfit Organisation (NPO)
NPO Registration Number: 028 – 636 –NPO
PBO Registration Number: 2003/00403/08
Section 18(a) Tax Exemption: All Donations are Tax Deductible
Duration of Programme: 3 years
Programme Dates: 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2014
Region: 1st year: South Peninsula, Cape Town
2nd year: Cape Town Metropole
3rd year: South African coastline
Anchor Sponsor: National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF)
About AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA)
AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA) was founded in 2003 by Lesley Rochat. It is a registered non-profit organisation, governed by a highly respected board of directors, an advisory board, as well as project specific consultants. AOCA is well known for its unique campaign work, exciting research projects and education and awareness initiatives, and its role in being prepared to speak out for those who cannot. We have achieved considerable success during a very short space of time and are considered leaders of marine education and shark conservation in South Africa.
Now, in 2012, AfriOceans Conservation Alliance once again sets itself ahead through its unique AfriOceans Warriors Environmental Education (AWESOME) Programme.
About the AfriOceans Warriors
The AfriOceans Warriors has emerged as a unique African tribe, which aims to assist the youth of South Africa to take ownership of their natural heritage and become leaders of awareness campaigns for Africa’s oceans. Through a curriculum linked 3-year school based programme we aim to reach a total of 170 000 learners from 170 schools along the South African coast, making this the largest marine focused environmental education initiative in the country.
The Importance of this Programme
The oceans are our life support system but they, and our planet’s environment in general, are in peril: global warming combined with environmental degradation, fast-dwindling natural resources, and imminent shortages of food is forcing us into a future filled with many uncertainties for our own survival. It is our children that will suffer the most. An army of conservation warriors is therefore urgently needed to help us win the battle against human greed, ignorance and destructive ways. Our children can be these warriors who, with the right leadership and guidance, can influence massive, positive changes in institutional, governmental and business policies. Armed with the correct knowledge and tools these young AfriOceans Warriors will take positive action in order to raise awareness and help save our oceans.
They are set to become the Voice of our Oceans.
Programme highlights to date:
Global Awareness Hike December 2009: 430 learners from 13 schools from the South Peninsula walked 8km along the coast, formed a symbolic SOS on the beach and walked on to hand a scroll to invited dignitaries. The scroll listed their concerns regarding the state of South Africa’s oceans. A video production was made of the event – see link below.
First Pilot Blue School February 2010: Muizenberg High School became our first pilot Blue School and the first AfriOceans Warriors Tribe (Club) was established.
2010 Earth Hour: Young AfriOceans Warriors participated in the 2010 Earth hour event.
2010 FIFA World Cup: The AfriOceans Warriors Vuvuzela Ensemble was formed and thrilled audiences at various soccer related events. They were featured on Sony TV and SABC News, and also performed at Nelson Mandela’s birthday event held on Robben Island.
AfriOceans Warriors Celebration Event May 2010: was held to acknowledge and award all those that took part in the Awareness Hike with a certificate. It included the unveiling of a range of AfriOceans Warriors T-shirt designs modeled by the learners and a performance by Donovan Copley of Hot Water, one of South Africa’s top bands. The event was broadcast on Yo-TV.Endorsements: The Programme was endorsed by Juan Benjamin of the Western Cape Education Department; Horst Kleinschmidt, former Director General of Fisheries; Dave Shaw, Principal of Muizenberg High School; Marion Shinn, Member of Parliament; Lorraine Gerrans, Head of Green Goal FIFA World Cup; Nicci Holderness, Councilor of Simonstown; and Commander Gerry van den Berg, SA Navy.
FIFA Green Goal June 2010: the AfriOceans Warriors, FIFA Green Goal and the City of Cape Town collaborated in a unique Operation Green cleanup with 150 learners from 7 schools, collecting over 100 bags of marine litter along a stretch of the False Bay coast. A video production was produced – see link below.
September 2010: 600 learners took part in the International Coastal & River cleanup week at Delft. They conducted audited cleanups of the Kuils River and at the mouth at Macassar beach. A video production was produced – see link below.
March 2011: ECO-UNESCO Youth Environmental & Sustainability Exhibition, Dublin, showcased the AfriOceans Warriors and continues to do so in the ECO-UNESCO exhibition space.
August 2011: Executive Director of AfriOceans Lesley Rochat talks to 500 high school learners about the importance of sharks in Our Oceans for the launch of Rethink the Predator: Bahamas.
September 2011: 660 learners take part in thne YES Coastal & River Cleanup Week at Kuils River, facillitated by AfriOceans & WESSA.On the last day 120 of these learners audit & collect over 100 bags of marine litter.
November 2011: AfriOceans Warriors takes part in the 2011 Green Expo at the International Convention Centre, Cape Town, to promote Awareness of AfriOceans.
High Profile Exposure:
The AfriOceans Warriors has received substantial media exposure from national radio, TV, press, magazines and extensive Internet exposure via its various websites and social media outlets.
How it will work?
The Programme includes the following 5 Components:
1. Blue Schools Network with Tribes (clubs) formed at each school,
2. Big Blue Life Sciences Curriculum to be implemented at the selected 170 schools,
3. Life Intervention Programme for struggling learners,
4. Survivor Challenge series pitting Tribes against Tribes,
5. Young Filmmakers Project that imparts new skills to the AfriOceans Warriors, whilst sharing all their action on YouTube channels, Facebook etc.
Volunteerism & skills training and giving back to their communities are all key outcomes of the Programme.
Where it takes place?
Initially 20 identified Senior and Junior schools in the South Peninsula, Cape Town will be invited to participate from January 2012 in the initial phase of the Programme. 50 schools will join them in July 2012/20 from the Cape Town Metropole area. In July 2013, 100 more schools selected from along the entire South African coastline will join the Programme. These 170 schools will be linked to the internationally recognized Eco Schools Programme to ensure continuity and sustainability. The long-term goal of the Programme is for it to become the model for the development and implementation of our planned international World Oceans Warriors initiative, which aims to link the youth of the world.
High profile exposure for your help!
AfriOceans has been granted close to R6 million from our anchor sponsor, the National Lotteries Board. However, we would like to attract a number of conservation and educational partners and corporate sponsors to enhance the Programme’s reach and assist in budgetary shortfalls. In exchange we are offering sponsors an opportunity to be associated with this exciting initiative that will not only attract substantial goodwill but substantial media exposure via:
A number of media groups have expressed interest in promoting the Programme, these include, but not limited to: 50.50 SABC 2 for which the AfriOceans video production division is a producer, KykNet SABC 3, Cape Talk, Radio 702, various newspaper and magazine publications.
The Programme will maximize Internet marketing and exposure via regular uploads and updates on our YouTube, Facebook and other social media channels, and the AfriOceans website. Our direct reach which includes our database and social networks totals 9000 people, excluding our website hits.
Sponsors have branding opportunities on the above including various Programme equipment such as on our vehicles, as well as on our marketing materials, at our various annual school events, environmental calendar events such as World Oceans Day, including public displays etc.
Sponsorship is required as gifts in kind in the form of required vehicles, equipment etc. or as financial support. In the event of the latter, each of the 5 Programme Components offer high exposure opportunities and depending on sponsorship value, one or more of these components can be selected.
For more information:
If you are interested in our exciting initiative we will gladly provide a detailed funding proposal and budget requirements and be available to present these to you at your earliest convenience. We look forward to interacting further with your company and hopefully having you onboard to help us extend the important and necessary work we do. We invite you to visit our website http://www.aoca.org.za to learn more.
Project links to explore:
Contact Details:
Lesley Rochat, AOCA Founder & Executive Director
Tel: 021 7827590
Email: info@aoca.org.za
Terry Corr, AOCA Head of Education
Cell: 084 6801354 Tel: 021 7821348 |Email: terry@aoca.org.za or awesome@aoca.org.za |
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