CWET ACL students feedback

Chisomo hopes to study Environmental Education and Management at the University of Zambia. During the exercise, he interviewed men aged 18 to 35 and described gaining confidence in engaging young people in community conversations. He sees these skills as relevant to a future career in environmental education and community engagement.

“The skill I've gained through this enumeration programme is community engagement.”

Ireen hopes to study Wildlife Management at Copperbelt University. Initially concerned about approaching community members and communicating across different languages and expectations, she found the field experience helped her adapt and become more confident in conducting interviews.

“It turned out to be an exciting journey.”

Chifumu hopes to study Ecology and Wildlife Management at the University of Zambia. He said the fieldwork helped him understand conservation beyond theory and gave him an opportunity to hear from people directly affected by human-wildlife conflict. He also reflected on the importance of clear communication and managing expectations during community engagement.

“The fieldwork showed me what conservation actually looks like.”

Michelle hopes to study Hospitality and Tourism Management at Copperbelt University. She described beginning the training with little experience in data collection and community interaction, but gradually learning how to ask questions, communicate with different people and adapt to different environments.

“I learned how to interact with different kinds of people, adapt to different environments.”

Jacqueline plans to study Youth Development and Leadership at the University of Zambia. Her interviews helped her recognise that people experience human-wildlife conflict differently. She reflected on the importance of understanding people’s emotions, recognising discomfort and listening without judging.

“I'm not here to judge them, but to understand how they are living with elephants.”

Susan plans to study Water Management at the Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management. She initially worried that community members might judge her because of her age and height. The experience helped her learn to cooperate with people, understand their challenges and listen to their concerns.

“We have to listen to them.”

Esnart plans to study Natural Resource Management at the Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management. She described learning from people’s experiences and recognising the importance of respecting personal boundaries, particularly when someone does not wish to take part in an interview.

“I will always respect people's boundaries and their space.”

Dorothy plans to study Environmental Education and Management at the University of Zambia. The exercise helped her recognise her ability to work independently and lead. She also described developing resilience and learning how to understand and respond to people’s emotions during difficult conversations.

“I realised that I can do it, I can lead, I can become a leader.”

Kenneth hopes to study Agroecology at the University of Zambia. Passionate about farming, he said the exercise taught him to adapt his communication style to the people he is speaking with and to recognise when humour is appropriate and when a more serious approach is needed.

“I've learned how to approach people.”

Grace hopes to study Public Administration at Mulungushi University. Interviewing people from different age groups and backgrounds gave her experience in adapting her approach to different personalities, languages and environments. She sees the experience as useful preparation for her future working life.

“I learned different approaches to use with different kinds of people from different places.”

Precious hopes to study Safari Guiding at Bedrock University in Livingstone. Although her first interview was challenging, she said the experience helped her become more confident in interacting with different people. She also connected community engagement skills to her future ambition of guiding and educating visitors in the field.

“As a safari guide, I'll be in the field and will be like a teacher.”

Memory plans to pursue Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zambia. She highlighted the importance of patience and adapting to different personalities during community engagement. Her strongest reflection was that communities experiencing conservation challenges should be included in decisions and initiatives that affect them.

“Communities are the ones experiencing these hardships, and they need to be included in everything we do as an organisation.”

Robert Sakala Robert aspires to become a safari guide through training at Nyamaluma or Bedrock. During the enumeration exercise, he interviewed men aged six to 50 and gained practical experience in approaching diverse community members, overcoming local language barriers such as Bisa, and adapting his communication to different backgrounds. He values these community interaction skills as key prep for his future career in safari guiding.

“I was facing different people from different areas and different languages, so I was ready for everything.”

Wisdom hopes to study Wildlife Management and Ecology at the University of Zambia. He described strengthening his communication and interpersonal skills, including building trust, listening actively and engaging respectfully. He also highlighted accurate data collection, confidentiality and cultural sensitivity as important parts of conservation work.

“Protecting wildlife and ecosystems also requires involving the people who live alongside them.”

Peter hopes to study Monitoring and Evaluation at ZCAS University. As an enumerator, he gathered information about how CSL supports communities in reducing human-wildlife conflict. He said the experience strengthened his understanding of how data can help identify challenges, assess projects and inform better solutions.

“My main takeaway is that data helps us understand problems and find better solutions.”

Caesar hopes to study Natural Resources Management at Copperbelt University. He described the programme as an educational experience that strengthened his understanding of teamwork, communication and accurate data collection, as well as the importance of involving communities in addressing environmental challenges.

“I learned the importance of teamwork, accurate data collection, communication, and involving communities.”