Project Launch:

The biodiversity of the Dominican Republic is a marvel, with many natural wonders including a wide variety of wildlife and huge rainforests. Many Dominican youth often do not have the opportunity to see and learn about the many diverse species that live around them. For this reason, the Brigada Verde Bird Guides was created to teach kids about the birds living around them through lessons on birds and the environment and to take kids on expeditions to see the wildlife around them. A $500 grant from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program provided support for the Brigada Verde and after the 2010 program, participating youth demonstrated increased interest and knowledge about birds and the environment – some kids even wrote a song about birds. Another component that was taught in the course was tourism and English language skills, providing the basis of opportunity as tourism is a major industry in the Dominican Republic. The kids now and for the rest of their lives have a better understanding of what lives around them and the project leaders reported that the kids walked away from the course not only with a graduating certificate but also with a better understanding and appreciation of the environment around them and many wonderful memories.