An undergraduate at the University of Victoria studying for a BSc in Biology/Environmental Studies, Navarana has just participated in the Canadian Field Studies programme in East Africa. After growing up experiencing wildernesses, Navi is used to adapting to remote and challenging situations! Her previous volunteer experiences include community work, raising awareness on environmental issues and communications. One of Navi’s main interests lies in the balance between development and conservation.
Meet the Explorers (Beheloka)
WWF, through its youth volunteer program Explore!, has contributed greatly to the development of young ambassadors for conservation. Launched in 2005 by WWF International, Madagascar has hosted over 100 volunteers since 2006. Explore! regularly gathers groups of six young volunteers from around the world for a three-month placement in field projects. Our volunteers are given the chance to experience firsthand the life of remote rural populations while contributing to frontline conservation and associated social-development programmes.
Navarana Smith, Canada
Gregg Smith, UNITED KINGDOM
Gregg is studying Geography and French at Lancaster University and is doing this placement as part of his year abroad. Through his work with GiveMeTap and WaterAid Society, Gregg has gained a good understanding of water security issues and the challenges of raising awareness.
Gregg is passionate about wildlife, the environment and human development and his trip to China where he learned about food security and social policy, inspiring him to work on international concerns.
Gregg is passionate about wildlife, the environment and human development and his trip to China where he learned about food security and social policy, inspiring him to work on international concerns.
Soaelina Aina, Madagascar
With a university diploma in scientific studies, Soaelina is now studying for her Masters II in animal biology, ecology and conservation at the Faculté des Sciences in Antananarivo. Soaelina has taught Earth & Life Sciences at La Pépite d’Or Lycée, and been an English teacher trainer at Ny Aina school. This will be the first time Soaelina is working in the field and she has a particular
interest in marine biology.
interest in marine biology.
Enathe Hasabwamariya, Rwanda
Since her Bachelor’s degree in Biology (Zoology & Conservation), Enathe has been working for the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (joint initiative of African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora Int’l and WWF) on a community based conservation project. Her work with IGCP included conducting a survey on water use assessment in communities around Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda.
Marlies Volckaert, Belgium
Marlies did her Master Bio-engineer in Forestry and Nature Management at the University of Ghent. Her volunteer experiences have taken her to Croatia to work on the Kuterevo Bear Project, and to a remote village in Morocco to help build a water reservoir. This has sparked her interest in raising awareness and ecotourism. Marlies is keen to be involved in tackling deforestation and for her
thesis she chose to work on large carnivore (wild boar) in forest habitat.
thesis she chose to work on large carnivore (wild boar) in forest habitat.
Israel Bionyi Nyoh, Cameroon
After doing a Bachelors in Communication, Israel is now studying for a Masters in Communication and Product Content Management at the University of Douala. Israel is an environmental blogger and activist. He founded the blog The Wink Writes and has a particular interest in forest and wildlife conservation in the Central African region and the fight against poaching. Through his experience in different areas of communications he has also worked with local communities in the field.
