Efforts to save the last 63 endangered Maui dolphins are getting a boost from children in Columbia. Photo/file
Efforts to save the last 63 endangered Maui dolphins are getting a boost from children in Columbia. Photo/file
Efforts to save New Zealand's endangered Maui dolphins have gone international, with children from Colombia writing 63 stories to save the last 63 of the marine mammals thanks to their teacher from Whangarei.
Originally from Whangarei, primary school teacher Nicole Panoho is teaching in Colombia. She has inspired her class of 16 students, aged 6-7 from Colegio Albania to write 63 stories to save the last 63 Maui dolphins.
Colegio Albania students holding their published stories and writing books. Photo/Nicole Panoho
It's a long way from Colombia to New Zealand - some 12,075km - but that's not stopping the enthusiasm of a class of young students to save New Zealand's Maui dolphins, Ms Panoho said.
The class from Colegio Albania in La Guajira region were inspired to join the Maui Dolphin Challenge.
The WWF-New Zealand campaign challenges people to fundraise by pledging to do something involving the number 63 to save the last 63 Maui dolphins, the smallest and rarest marine dolphin.
Former Whangarei teacher Nicole Panoho (centre) with her Colegio Albania, Colombia students. Photo/Nicole Panoho
Whether it's walking 63km or picking up 63kg of rubbish, people across the country and overseas are signing up to take part in creative fundraising challenges.
Under the guidance of Ms Panoho, the class goal is to create and write 63 stories in both Spanish and English.
"Writing the stories in English can be difficult but the kids are really excited about the Challenge, and have been asking to write stories all the time which has been awesome. They are working so well and are on track to write 63 stories to save the 63 Maui dolphins," Ms Panoho said.
Ms Panoho has been teaching internationally for five years, including this year in Colombia.
"A big part of my goal as a teacher is that my class can really connect with the things we learn about, and that they can communicate their ideas, opinions and feelings confidently.
"The inspiration to share the story of Maui dolphins with my students came directly from them, after they enjoyed hearing New Zealand Maori legends about Maui and completed a lesson about interconnectedness of living things.
"They understood how humans can have a positive or negative impact on the environment, and that they have a responsibility to take care of their planet. The students felt sad that there are only 63 Maui dolphins left.
"Maui dolphins are part of the rare, special beauty that Aotearoa has to offer and I don't want to see them disappear from our planet. It makes me really happy to be able to raise awareness for the Maui dolphins' cause.
"To see my students being so motivated to achieve this goal and so curious and caring about the world around them is one of the best parts about my job. We want to make a positive effect on the environment by raising money to help Maui dolphins."
Colegio Albania student Andrea Fonseca said: "Writing different stories is fun. Helping Maui dolphins is a caring thing to do."
WWF-New Zealand campaigner David Tong said: "Maui dolphins are found only off the west coast of the North Island - nowhere else in the world, and they're right on the brink of extinction.
"Together we're aiming for a world where Maui dolphins are a common sight in the waters of Aotearoa New Zealand, but to achieve this goal we need help."
To take a challenge or sponsor an existing challenge go to www.everydayhero.co.nz/event/Maui-dolphin-challenge/find_a_challenger.
