Our first interaction was with a six-year-old boy keen to learn photography. Delight Asher, our storytelling assistant, patiently guided him, and to our surprise, he picked up the basics remarkably quickly. Another standout participant was 15-year-old Samuel Kareko, who later won the photography competition with a compelling image showcasing the impact of pollution on marine life.
Some journeys begin with a plan; ours began with a purpose. Under Nairobi’s bustling night sky, we set off, driven by the hope of making an impact. Inside the bus, Elsie Ashiono, Delight Asher, and I, Faith Tuarari, exchanged quiet conversations, a mix of excitement and exhaustion settling over us.
The road to Mombasa stretched throughout the night, but our anticipation for the Diani Sea Turtle Festival kept us awake, our minds buzzing with what lay ahead. In just a few hours, we would arrive in Mombasa, welcomed by the warmth of the morning sun, the salty ocean breeze, and the promise of a meaningful day ahead. However, there was no time to rest as we had preparations to finalize before the festival on June 16.
Our first task was to travel to Diani, where we would collect the materials we had sent ahead, take a moment to regroup, and prepare ourselves for the event.
On the beautiful morning of June 16, 2024, we made our way to Safari Beach Hotel, banners, photographs, and cameras in hand. Our station was set, a vibrant display of underwater sea turtle images, banners, and photography equipment, all prepared to inspire the eager young minds who would soon gather.
As soon as we set up, we attracted several curious visitors, especially young participants, more intrigued by the cameras. However, by the end of the day, we had converted the innocent, curious learners into champions for the environment. Throughout the session, we guided different groups on how they could use photography as a tool for conservation storytelling, transforming their curiosity into a passion for environmental protection.
Our first interaction was with a six-year-old boy keen to learn photography. Delight Asher, our storytelling assistant, patiently guided him, and to our surprise, he picked up the basics remarkably quickly. Another standout participant was 15-year-old Samuel Kareko, who later won the photography competition with a compelling image showcasing the impact of pollution on marine life.
Through this, we trained the students to document biodiversity through photography, specifically focusing on the effects of pollution at the beach and highlighting the relationship between humans and marine life, specifically turtles, as we were at the Diani Sea Turtle Festival.
Our programme was simple and clear. We spent the first couple of hours facilitating a hands-on photography session, training different groups of students to document marine biodiversity and the effects of pollution. Some chose to take photos by the beach, some chose to take photos of the art pieces at the exhibit, while others chose to document humans in action. The exercise made quite an impact in creating a deeper connection between young people and environmental conservation through visual storytelling. This involved teaching them how to use a camera, which they picked up quite quickly, and then guiding them on how to capture photos that tell a story. After this, they would submit their best photos for the photography competition.
The photography contest attracted many talented young participants, each capturing the festival’s essence through their unique perspectives.
We are proud to announce three winners. In first place was a 15-year-old boy named Samuel Kareko from Oshwal Academy as earlier mentioned, with this stunning shot
This winning photograph highlighted the effects of pollution on Diani’s coastline. By its ability to showcase the issue of plastic pollution, especially in relation to the beach where Sea Turtles live, it creates a powerful contrast between the natural beauty of the beach and the plastic waste, highlighting an urgent need for conservation efforts. Its clarity in telling a story on the negative impact human beings have had on the environment prompts viewers to reflect on their role in waste management and ocean conservation.
In second place, we had a younger boy named Douglas, with this shot.
His image captures this beautiful artwork that requires a keen eye to understand its intricate details. This image features two brown sea turtles swimming in the ocean, created entirely from waste paper. The artwork was displayed by another organization, and the photo shows the creative use of recycled materials in raising awareness about marine life conservation. This image not only shows artistic talent but also speaks on conservation as well. By capturing artwork made from waste, the shot emphasizes sustainability and creative repurposing of materials. The photographers’ ability to capture an image that tells a story in such great detail made him the first runner-up.
In third place, we have a young lady by the name Halima from Mama Lorenza’s Vocational Training Center, with this piece.
This stunning shot also captures artwork from a different organization that visually represents the boundary between land and sea. The artist used plastic waste to create the land section, while the sea section was painted. By incorporating plastic bottles and a painted fork submerged in the water, the piece tells a story of pollution and its impact on the coastal area, specifically the sandy beaches.
This image stood out for its ability to merge art and education. By capturing an image that creatively uses waste materials to create art, while capturing a contrast in the textures, thus telling a story on the effects of irresponsible choices on the environment, this image came in third place.
Each of these images tells a story and conveys a message, therefore capturing the theme of the festival. The central theme is preventing the death of Sea Turtles by keeping our beaches clean from plastic waste. Each of these images tells a story about environmental consciousness and the power of visual storytelling in passing this message.
The three students won prizes that will serve as a reminder of the impact they can make in conservation through photography. We are grateful to the Conservation Education Society for their support and continued partnership in nurturing conservation photographers.
The Diani Sea Turtle Festival served as a reminder of the impact in conservation that we can make through conservation storytelling, specifically photography. As we look ahead, we remain committed to creating more such opportunities where we can leverage photography and storytelling to drive awareness and conservation action.
Written by Faith Tuarari
Photography by Asher Nyambura
About TonyWild Foundation:
TonyWild is an African youth-led conservation organization whose focus is to promote conservation action by creating awareness of wildlife through photography, film, and science. We envision a generation that will influence sustainable natural resource management. We work towards this by educating and showcasing the beauty and importance of nature and wildlife.
Learn more about TonyWild here https://www.tonywild.co.ke/
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