Kids, Cameras and Python Autopsies? Living Dangerously
Innermedia is lending a hand in Uganda this month at the School of Croc. Ralph is helping the children by setting up and filming challenges, keeping an eye on safety, and supporting fellow staff and students when Melissa can’t find the other crocodile.
“WHERE’S THE OTHER CROCODILE?”
Ralph is a bastion of calm and he keeps everyone grounded and relaxed. He knows that Pete knows where the crocodile is. So he leans over and says,
“Melissa. Don’t. Worry.”
Then I focus on what I’m supposed to be doing, which is filming. This is the second way Innermedia is contributing; we’re making a film for CoRSU hospital. Corsu offers assessment, surgery, rehabilitation and follow up services to children with severe physical disabilities.
School of Croc offers them something as well; an adventure and an original experience with their country’s indigenous wildlife. For years, Safari Pete has been developing techniques and harnesses that enable the humane capture of crocodiles that threaten African communities. He has also worked with a variety of other animals and promotes wildlife conservation through partnerships with British schools.
Pete met the Head of CoRSU’s charity, Tobias Slanz, on a return trip from Uganda. Tobias told Pete about the social difficulties children with severe disabilities face. Pete wondered if these children could be helped by giving them a unique experience. UWEC (Uganda Wildlife Education Centre) got involved in the project and the School of Croc was launched.
“This one activity has really done a tremendous job”, said Christine Tusiime, Head of Allied Health Services and Principal Physiotherapist at CoRSU Hospital. “The kids were brilliant. They are now more passionate about themselves and each other and they are able to address other people without shame or without feeling put under the spotlight, which is what was happening before. ”
“Before the start of the project one of the children was not able to express themselves,” said Christine Tusiime. “Someone had to ask a question before they could voice their opinion. But after the project they start asking questions and challenging the status quo, which was definitely not happening before. They’ve learned that they can be courageous enough to ask questions not only of themselves, but also of others about a lot of different things. It’s really been a wonderful experience for them.”
Bearing witness to an unprecedented project with wildlife and children has been rewarding; the kids are as fun as they are tenacious. Plus, the trip has taught Innermedia a few lessons. 1. Hippos are noisy eaters. 2. A giraffe may try to eat your bandana. 3. Large mammals are a lot faster than they look. Most importantly, if you give children an opportunity to meet a challenge, they will inspire you.
Notes: CoRSU provided hundreds of free surgeries a year to children with crippling disabilities. School of Croc challenges these children by enabling them to endeavor unprecedented tasks while experiencing the wildlife that is indigenous to their culture.
Keep up with Ralph and Melissa’s adventures on our instagram account.
