Mombasa Hub

Date: 31st October 2013

Hub name: Mombasa, Kenya
Title of Case Study: Schools to Sea
Under the motto giving something back, Buccaneer Diving, one of the bigger dive operators on the Kenyan
coast created the 'Schools to the Sea' programme. Schools to the sea is an environmental awareness project
which introduces disadvantaged children in the Mombasa area to the marine environment, often for the first
time in their lives.
GVI in partnership with Buccaneer diving and the Voyager hotel has organised several trips for students from
primary schools in Mombasa. Olives Rehabilitation Centre was the latest school to participate in the Sea for
Schools programme, involving Standard 7. The programme, a one-day activity began with the students
undergoing a half hour induction of what the day will entail, at the Voyager Hotel. Students were taught how to
use the snorkeling equipment correctly within the confinements of the Voyager swimming pool. None of the
students had ever used any form of snorkeling equipment and breathing through a snorkel under the water
proved quite an exhilarating experience.
In the afternoon Voyager hotel provided lunch with burgers and chips, a meal that was secretly the very
highlight of the day for most of the students. After lunch a 45-minute presentation on marine ecosystems,
biodiversity and environmental issues and conservation followed. A Buccaneer diver explained about waste
management practices, overfishing and the functions of the different marine species within healthy and
functional ecosystem. The presentation was followed by a wealth of questions ranging from the diet of marine
species to the function of coral reefs.
At the end of the day all students were taken on a glass bottom boat out to the reef, with the clear Kenyan
waters, this is a fascinating experience showing the marine ecosystem live and very close up. As highlight,
fitted with life jackets and snorkel, students were allowed to jump in for an awe-inspiring snorkel session along
the reefs.
Environmental conservation is paramount to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the fragile costal marine
ecosystem, on the Mombasa coastline. By teaching the younger generations to engage with their environment
in a conscientious and environmentally sound manner, the marine ecosystems have a greater chance of longterm survival. The younger generations are a key influence on the future of the coastline, and the importance
of social and environmental interaction on future sustainability.
GVI are currently working towards ensuring that Sea for Schools becomes a more regular activity resulting in
more in-depth knowledge of the environment and also giving them an opportunity to learn and experience
things which would otherwise be unattainable for them.
For more information on the GVI project which supports Nyota Ingarayo and Olives Rehabilitation Centre visit
our website http://www.gvi.co.uk/location/mombasa or the blog http://gvimombasa.blogspot.com/ or follow us
on Facebook or Twitter (GVI Kenya Mombasa).