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Roots & Shoots in South Africa - Profile & History In addition, JGI South Africa has built a sanctuary for chimpanzees, on the lines of the one in the Congo (Tchimpounga). It provides a safe haven for chimpanzees in need and there is also an education centre on the premises. A Roots & Shoots office will be based at the centre, and it is there to facilitate the involvement of the community at the site of the sanctuary. One vision for our country is that the different Roots & Shoots groups around South Africa will join forces to work on projects that are of national relevance and importance, such as AIDS. Where appropriate, Roots & Shoots will work with other African countries on international projects such as bush meat trade and re-forestation and in this way foster and develop bonds of friendship and understanding throughout Africa. THE MISSION OF ROOTS & SHOOTS "Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation; Imagine that the brick walls are all the problems we have inflicted on our planet... Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots, hundreds and thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls. You CAN change the world" Dr Jane Goodall MISSION STATEMENT Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute's international and humanitarian programme for young people. Our mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment. All Roots & Shoots members, from pre-school to university, demonstrate their care and concern for living things through service projects in their communities and on a global level. Roots & Shoots is guided by Dr Jane's philosophy that "every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual makes a difference." Roots & Shoots members learn the importance of caring for others and at the same time develop self-respect, confidence in themselves, and hope for the future. Our members learn that working together to make the world a better place can be fun! From its beginning in Tanzania in 1991, Roots & Shoots has become international in scope with members in over 60 countries around the world. The flexibility of the programme complements the diversity of our membership by allowing each Roots & Shoots group to plan and implement projects based on its unique interests, resources and community concerns. With thousands of members around the world, Roots & Shoots is a global program uniting people in the effort to make the world a better place for all living things. Roots & shoots works with students and educators in a program that fosters awareness of and concern about the environment, its diversity, and the problems facing it. It also aims at developing skills, knowledge, attitudes, motivation and the commitment to environmental issues of our youth. Roots & Shoots members are empowered to work individually and collectively towards solving existing environmental and social problems and preventing future difficulties. THE GOALS OF ROOTS & SHOOTS 1. To implement positive change through active learning about, caring for and interacting with the environment. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." OUR HISTORY Their discussion covered many topics that weren't in their school curriculum including pollution in the city, deforestation in the mountains, the welfare of domestic animals and the future of wild animals including Dr. Jane's threatened chimpanzees. These motivated young people wanted to learn more, they were willing to take action and they hoped that their peers would join with them to help make a difference. Dr. Jane was impressed by their compassion, their energy and their desire to develop a grassroots style solution to problems. Although Dr. Jane was involved in their meetings, the project was carried out totally by the teens. This first–ever Roots & Shoots project was local: educating villagers about more humane treatment of chickens at home and in the region’s markets. It was a small program, but encompassed all the hallmarks of what makes Roots & Shoots so special even today: youth-driven projects fueled by knowledge, compassion and action. Today, the Roots & Shoots network has blossomed into tens of thousands of members in close to 100 countries, all working on local and global community service projects. Many of our original members are still involved, continually finding new projects and new ways to make our world a better place. Dr. Jane's unique, flexible model for youth engagement, aided by resources and guidance provided by Roots & Shoots leaders and staff, is what sets the Roots & Shoots program apart from the rest. |
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