Go4BioDiv

• Name: Saningo Saruni Ngoidima
• Country: Tanzania
• representing this natural World Heritage Site: Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Occupation and educational background: I was born in West Kilimanjaro and attended the Mt. Kilimanjaro School in Moshi, South Kilimanjaro. I finished my Cambridge Exams, A-Level (International Baccalaureate) in June, 2010
• Group Affiliation:
  I work voluntarily for \"Elimu Bora kwa Watoto\" (in English this means \"Quality Education for Children\"). This society sponsors good quality schools for poor Tanzanian children. Further it founded and sponsors the \"Makoa Forest Club\", similar to a kindergarten where the youngest kids learn about their environment, e.g. trees, plants, animals, and why it is important to protect it. It also encourages and sponsors forest clubs in neighboring communities and schools where a teacher will make regular visits and give environmental lessons.
• Free-time activities:
  In my free-time I will help my family in our small farm. I enjoy reading, sports and good discussions with friends.
• Favourite Quote:
  My favourite quote is from the first Tanzanian president, J.K. Nyerere: "Kata mti, panda mti". In English this means that once you cut a tree you MUST plant a new one.
• My Personal relation to the World Heritage Site:
  I was born and brought up in Kilimanjaro Region. Therefore I am deeply concerned about the future of our cultural heritage.
• Important to safeguard my natural World Heritage Site:
  There are various reasons: First it is our national pride as Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Further it supports the life of our people, e.g. we use water from Mt. Kilimanjaro for irrigation of our crops during dry season. For this reason it is important to make it available for future generations. Whether it is destruction or conservation, any changes or development will have a great effect in the future life of all people and wildlife in the area - we just cannot afford to have it destroyed!
• Specific problems and threats of my WHS:
  The main problems are deforestation, poaching and loss of habitat for the wildlife. The ice cap melts and this might leave us with no source of water for the future.
• Motivation for participating in the International Youth Forum 2010:
  I like to add MY part and effort to conserve our WHS. I believe the International Youth Forum is the perfect place to discuss and find solutions to the problems and threats of our WHS.
• Message to the world concerning WHS and biodiversity:
  It is time for all of us to unite and say NO to the destruction of our heritage and our future.