Super Kodo Enviro Kids Videos
US$12,820
of $64,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 19th Sep 2014 at 1:35AM.
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), founded by renowned primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace, is world reknown for its efforts to protect chimpanzees and conserve their habitats. In 2012, JGI set a goal for the next thirty years to protect 85% of the remaining population of chimpanzees and their habitats.Throughout JGI’s history, education and public awareness programs have been an essential part of our mission. Today more than ever, with such an ambitious thirty year goal these elements are playing an even greater role. Lack of understanding and concern for issues like pollution; unsustainable use of natural resources; climate change; over harvesting of wildlife; cruelty to animals; lack of respect for wildlife laws and poor waste management practices are commonplace.
Super Kodo, a video series created to inspire and empower young people in the Republic of Congo, features a young boy who meets a forest spirit and is given special super powers to help others understand how to protect environment and wildlife. The series is the first of its kind in Congo and has been incredibly well received by communities. Currently fourteen (14) episodes have been produced and distributed to local TV stations. These programs have been viewed by approximately 30% of the nation’s youth and adults (1.4 million people).
Following on Super Kodo’s initial success, JGI will produce seven more episodes over the next two years. Produced in French with English subtitles, along with an associated curriculum, the video series which was only relevant locally, will now be distributed regionally having the potential to reach nearly 40 million people.
Objectives
- Empower youth with the desire to be better custodians of their natural wealth.
- Encourage public appreciation and compliance with improved environmental management practices, such as waste management; sustainable harvesting practices, and alternative livelihoods to reduce dependencies on nonrenewable natural resources.
- Encourage the public compliance with wildlife protection laws.
- Encourage greater enforcement of the wildlife and environmental laws by officials.
- Encourage public appreciation and compliance with improved environmental management practices, such as waste management; sustainable harvesting practices, and alternative livelihoods to reduce dependencies on nonrenewable natural resources.
- Encourage the public compliance with wildlife protection laws.
- Encourage greater enforcement of the wildlife and environmental laws by officials.
Outcomes
- Youth more engaged in environmental issues of their country.
- Improved respect for wildlife and the laws that protect them.
- Decrease in the killing of wildlife throughout the Congo basin.
- Reduction of confiscation of captured or orphaned great apes.
- Improved respect for wildlife and the laws that protect them.
- Decrease in the killing of wildlife throughout the Congo basin.
- Reduction of confiscation of captured or orphaned great apes.
Activities
The following activities will be completed as steps in this project:
- Writing the scripts for seven new episodes.
- Rehearsing each episode with the actors and preparing for filming.
- Filming each episode and editing them together.
- Finish editing each episode including adding subtitles.
- Distributing the episodes to local TV stations, and other partner organizations.
Project History
The first episodes of Super Kodo were filmed five years ago. Since then they have been distributed to communities in the southern part of the Republic of Congo. Working with young actors from the local communities around JGI’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, and staff members and their families, Fernando Turmo, JGI’s communication coordinator for the Tchimpounga, created a storyline, using local cultural values and beliefs, to inform and engage local youth in environmental issues.
Once filmed and distributed, Super Kodo became so popular that pirated copies of the DVDs have been found in street markets in Congo. Made freely available from JGI on DVD, it is humorous these Super Kodo videos would be found for sale on the street.
How The Funds Will Be Used
The funds raised from this campaign will be used to produce seven more episodes of the Super Kodo video series, developing a corresponding educational curriculum that educators can use in their classrooms and support for the distribution of the videos and curriculum.
Originally, the program was made in local language because the young actors had not yet learned French. Now as the children have received more schooling it is possible to do the programs in French and to broadcast them to a much wider audience regionally, not just in Congo. The seven additional episodes made in French will cover environmental topics that are important across central Africa, not just within southern Congo.
On average, it costs approximately $9,000 USD to create, produce and distribute one episode. The episodes take six to eight weeks to produce from start to finish. JGI will distribute within Congo Republic to all TV stations in the country. JGI will engage other JGI’s in the region as well as the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance members for distribution in other central and west African countries that are French speaking, as well as other NGO and governmental partners.
Overall Objective: Increased youth awareness of their natural heritage, and increased sense of value for natural resources and wildlife to help the next generations of Congolese youth become better custodians the environment and protectors of the species with which we share it.
The Challenges
This project faces the challenge of working with a disengaged younger generation who may not have a strong knowledge of the natural environment, or a full appreciation of it. Working with partners and an already engaged audience however, Super Kodo will not have any trouble combating these attitudes.
Logistically it can be challenging to film seven episodes of any one series. Gathering all of the actors and helping them learn their parts is a feat. They have worked well thus far with the previous 14 episodes and now that they are older we trust that this will become easier.
Logistically it can be challenging to film seven episodes of any one series. Gathering all of the actors and helping them learn their parts is a feat. They have worked well thus far with the previous 14 episodes and now that they are older we trust that this will become easier.
Citizen
With our gratitude we'll be happy to list your name on our website along with all of Super Kodo's other super fans.
6 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 14
Do Gooder
With our gratitude we'll make sure you have early access to view the new episodes of Super Kodo before they are released to the public.
18 chosen
Est. delivery is Jan 15
Rookie
Show your pride for Super Kodo with a super poster depicting him and a quote from none other than our own real life super hero Dr. Jane Goodall.
11 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 14
Sidekick
Dr. Jane, our very own real life super hero, has a sidekick named Mr. H. He travels with her all over the world. Now you can make Mr. H. Jr. a sidekick of your own.
11 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 14
Defender
Super Kodo inspires us to take care of our environment. Now you can inspire others by wearing a very special organic cotton Super Kodo t-shirt.
4 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 14
Leader
Carry all of your important files around on your very own USB drive engraved with the logo of the Jane Goodall Institute. Made with high quality flash memory and Forest Stewarship Council certified wood, these drives are ones that we're sure Super Kodo would love.
6 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 14
Hero
Show off your pride for both of our super heroes -- Dr. Goodall and Super Kodo -- with a signed photo of the two of them, as well as an engraved USB drive, and Super Kodo poster.
5 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 14
Super Hero
Upgrade your super hero gear with an embroidered (JGI Logo) sling bag + a signed photo of Dr. Goodall and Super Kodo, an engraved USB drive and a Super Kodo poster.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Super Star
In addition to receiving everything at the $125 level, connect with a JGI chimpanzee expert and learn about all that JGI does to protect this amazing animal, their habitats and the other species with whom they share it. You'll also get the super special Super Kodo t-shirt.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Marvel
Have your very own one on one session with a JGI chimpanzee expert + get your name listed at the end of one of the seven new episodes, a Super Kodo t-shirt and everything at the $125 level.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Marvel
Go down in history as a hero for Super Kodo by getting your name listed in the end credits of all seven new episodes + everything at the $250 level + t-shirt.
0 chosen / 10 available
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Visionary
We'll have our very own real life super hero Dr. Goodall record a voicemail message for you + everything at the $250 level + t-shirt.
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Luminary
Have the opportunity to meet Super Kodo yourself by traveling to the Republic of Congo + everything at the $250 level + t-shirt. Note: airfare, visas and vaccinations not included.
0 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Oct 14
Paragon
Have the opportunity to view an episode of Super Kodo yourself with our very own real life super hero Dr. Jane Goodall + everything at the $250 level + t-shirt.
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Apr 15