In 2015, we held our first conservation class for children. The idea was to allow local children to gain an appreciation of the Simien Mountains and the wildlife and flora that are unique to the area.
We have carried out the classes almost every year since. We close the lodge, generally at a weekend, and we invite about a hundred children to take part. In most years they have come from the villages and schools near to the lodge.
Every time we have a theme, which varies according to what we feel is the urgency of the time. We print this theme on a T-shirt that we give to each child. When the children arrive at the class, they invariably don’t know what to expect. So, before we go into the educational part of the day, we get to know the children with dance and music. We paint their faces to make them resemble animals or sometimes with symbols that they understand, such as hearts and stars.
The 2026 class
In 2026, we took the class to the eastern side of Bwahit mountain to a small village near to Janamora. The purpose of this class was to support the efforts of the park to protect the walia ibex, whose numbers have diminished in recent years.
Children love the day. We give them a hearty meal at lunchtime and there are prizes for the best students.
See also our film about the conservation classes and our other projects.