Marlboro learner featured in international book about owls
Marlboro Gardens Secondary School learner Adivhaho Mokakatleng beams with pride after being featured in an international book about owls. His passion for wildlife, nurtured through the Owlproject.org initiative, will now serve to inspire children globally.
Marlboro Gardens Secondary School Grade 9 learner Adivhaho Mokakatleng and teacher Motlatsi Zulu were overjoyed as they received copies of the environmental journalist and award-winning author Frances Backhouse’s book, Owls, in which Adivhaho is featured.
The books were handed to the pair by Sara Orchardson from Owlsproject.org on June 17.
Read more: Marlboro Gardens Secondary School turn to owls to tackle Alexandras rodent problem
Backhouse’s book, which is part of the Orca Wild series for middle-grade readers, explores owl species in North America, their habitats, and the efforts of scientists, conservationists, and youth to protect them.
Mokakatleng was interviewed in 2022 by Backhouse about his experience working with owls at school through the Owlproject.org, an organisation that exposes children to the world of owls. He said, “I feel so happy because I like this book. I felt so happy when I was interviewed about owls and about being part of the book. I volunteered to work with owls because I wanted to be part of the OwlProject and be one of the people who take care of the owls.”
Zulu praised Adivhaho’s commitment, noting that he has always been passionate about the project. “He was always helpful. There were other projects before and he would always volunteer to come and feed the owls. We receive baby owls from Owlproject.org, and we feed them until they are a particular age, until they can hunt themselves. So, he was one of the learners who were helping with that project; he has been helping since he was in Grade 6.”
Highlighting the project’s impact, Zulu said they needed to pass on the baton to others. Orchardson echoed this sentiment, adding, “When they [learner participants] get older, they will also pass on this information about caring for the environment.”
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
