This microproject will bring environmental education to 1,500 Cambodian homes in two months, influencing an estimated 6,000 students and family members not to hunt or eat wildlife in the interest of public health. With schools closed since March due to Covid-19 and two million rural students without access to any form of education, the Kouprey Express (KE) now goes door-to-door to raise awareness about the consequences of wildlife consumption and the need to protect Cambodia's natural heritage.
With millions of rural youth unable to study due to Covid-19, KE is getting creative so we can continue to make a difference by bringing our wildlife education and lessons directly into Cambodian homes. This enables us to teach children, as well as their parents, elders, and neighbors about how the health and future of their own communities is directly linked to that of local ecosystems, and actively encourage whole communities to be front line defenders of their natural resources.
The mobile KE has the unique advantage of being able to bring structured conservation education to rural Cambodia and will bring wildlife protection education and activities to 1,500 households, reaching an estimated 6,000 rural Cambodians. Our activities, messaging, and materials center around wildlife trafficking, consumer demand reduction, and human health. We will also distribute wildlife-themed school supplies promoting Wildlife Alliance's 24-hour nationwide Wildlife Rescue Hotline.
Engaging youth and communities in protecting their biodiversity is essential to stop wildlife trafficking. This microproject fills an important gap by bringing vital environmental education to students while schools remain closed. Our activities generate a protective pride in Cambodia's natural heritage and foster lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife and wildlife habitat, thus helping mitigate the devastating effects of the illegal wildlife trade on global public health.
