Last week, my school (Sir Winston Churchill High) was blessed to be in the presence of Dr. Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist. Dr. Goodall is internationally known not just for her extensive research on the behaviour of chimpanzees, but is also appreciated as a leading humanitarian and conservationist.
Every minute of Dr. Goodall’s speech at Churchill was completely inspiring. However, we should have known that a woman of her accomplishments would never waste time just talking. Dr. Goodall spoke to us about her Roots & Shoots program, a worldwide network connecting youth of all ages and cultures which aspires to make a difference in the world.
Roots & Shoots first began in 1991, when a group of 12 Tanzanian teenagers approached Jane to discuss problems regarding the welfare of animals within their country. The compassionate youth decided to work towards projects that would improve the environmental state of the world, in however small a way. The first Roots & Shoots project involved educating villagers on the humane treatment of chickens at home and in the markets, but now encompasses tens of thousands of members in dozens of countries, all striving to improve both local and global communities.
One particularly motivating story Jane told us at her presentation last week was about a Roots & Shoots member who was moving across the world. While he was scared to be so far away from home, and surrounded by people he didn’t know, he found comfort in knowing that where he could find a Roots & Shoots group, he would find his family. Dr. Goodall told us that this story was one that embodied Roots & Shoots as a program, for it represented global unity and a common initiative.
If you’re interested in joining the great program that is Roots & Shoots or learning more about it, you can visit its website at www.rootsandshoots.org. The program is a great opportunity to become involved in the global community, create lifelong friendships, and bring about positive change for people, animals, and the environment.
