MantaWatch has teamed up with COREMAP, the Yacht Support Group and Misool Baseftin to give over 400 marine education books to primary schools in and around a shark and manta ray sanctuary in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
400 marine education books, syllabus, posters and games
Raja Ampat is home to some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity, including over 1,397 species of fish and 600 species of coral. Lying within the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is a global priority for marine protection. In 2011 it’s coastal waters were declared a shark and manta ray sanctuary.
Education is a vital component in the long-term success of this sanctuary. Environmental education enhances awareness and knowledge among local communities about critical conservation and environmental issues that affect their wellbeing. At the same time, enhanced educational opportunities will enable communities to access new livelihood opportunities within the growing tourism and conservation sectors.
This year MantaWatch is supporting two schools in Raja Ampat with critical needs: Dabatan Junior School and Fafanlap Kindergarten. Our education program aims to strengthen conservation approaches by enhancing local educational opportunities. See our Raja Ampat Education Program brochure at the bottom of this page for more information on this program.
The Government of Indonesia’s Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program (COREMAP) has supported our initiative by providing over 400 children’s books about the marine environment. The books include a six-volume marine ecology curriculum and teacher resources, as well as illustrated books about mangrove ecology, plate tectonics and oceanography, tsunamis, coral reefs, and fisheries. There are even fun and exciting games with a marine twist!
We were faced with the challenge of transporting these books, with a combined weight of over 100 kg, more than 3,000 km from Jakarta at one end of the Indonesian archipelago, to Raja Ampat at the other. The Yacht Support Group offered an innovative solution. Their clients include yachts and superyachts cruising Indonesia’s waters, and who are assisting us to transport books to this remote area.
The books will be distributed to local schools by Misool Baseftin, as part of their ongoing marine conservation and education program. Misool Baseftin is Indonesian charity and part of Misool Eco Resort’s Conservation Centre.
These 400 books will be presented to the schools during an official ceremony at the start of the new school term in September.
The delivery of these books marks the successful completion of phase one of our 2012 marine education program in Raja Ampat.
Our next goals include assisting the construction of toilet facilities at Dabatan Junior School, and supporting teacher training at Fafanlap Kindergarten. To find out more about our program, and how you can help, see our Raja Ampat Education Program brochure.
