adminMore than 25 schools took part in the nationwide art and photographic competition focusing on the indigenous birds of Zimbabwe presented by the Embassy of Italy with the prize-giving ceremony conducted last week on Friday at Haka Park (Cleveland Dam). The Italian Embassy partnered with BirdLife Zimbabwe together with Mukuvisi Woodlands, Conservation Society of Monavale and Community Water Alliance to raise awareness of the need to protect the ecosystems inhabited by Zimbabwe`s birds and wildlife. As such the competition was aimed at bringing in the concept of “catch them young” since humans are also an intrinsic part of biodiversity, ecosystems and their services.
At the end, it was all smiles for pupils from different schools who walked out with different goodies as prizes for their effort either in art or photography.
In an interview, some of the winners said they felt challenged to uphold the ecosystem that is defined as a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Nicole Skinner of Hellenic Primary School said, “The competition we partook was BirdLife where we were asked to come up with a piece of art and I decided to draw a bird. I am happy to have won the prize.
“If I finish school, I want to own a farm and continue with my art career.”
Jack Worsley Worsick from Springvale School, Marondera made his presence felt by winning in the photography category.
“I won a prize for taking a picture of a juvenile Herrier hook when it was about to leave a nest. I used a Cannon SX50 to take that photography at a dam where it was stocking its fish.”
Joseph Mapuranga of Moffat Primary School said the exhibition was quite motivating.
“Being part of the competition and winning a prize is just great. The competition encourages us as young children to learn to preserve nature, wetlands and even the plants and animals that leaves in it,” he said. — CL Writer.
Online Reporter