National Geographic’s children's show 'Team Sayari' launched in Nairobi

The National Geographic’s much-anticipated kids programme, Team Sayari, was this past weekend officially launched in Nairobi, Kenya.

The series, according to statement to newsrooms, aims to motivate and inspire children to engage with, care for and protect the natural world, and will go on air beginning Saturday, September 24, 2022.

The launch was attended by media, project partners and their families, local personalities and school youths from the city.

The attendees engaged in interactive activities inspired by the programme, such as planting indigenous trees, painting reusable bags, crafting bee hotels and making molds of animal footprints.

Two episodes of Team Sayari were screened at the event: one exploring the fascinating relationship between elephants and bees, with the other profiling unexpected heroes in the wild.

Nairobi-based youths Mysha Hodson (13), Marita Lucas (12), Shanah Manjeru (14), Railey Mwai (10) and Adarsh Nagda (12) serve as studio hosts for the show.

From Sayari basecamp, they link to field presenters that travel to East, West and South Africa to explore intriguing facets of the environment, interview experts on the ground and learn what is needed to protect and conserve the natural world.

Joining them on location are Sheilah Sheldone (13, Kenya), Toluwanimi Olaoye (12, Nigeria), Christian Mekhi (10, Rwanda), Atule Mazane, Khahliso Khojane,Thandolwethu Fani, (13, 14, 15, South Africa) and Sabrina Kilumanga (10, Tanzania).

Led by the programme’s goal to inspire meaningful, impactful behavioural change in young viewers across the continent and create the next generation of environmental conservation leaders, each episode begins with a DNA-inspired computer named Funzi giving the young presenters missions to complete.

On their travels, Team Sayari will meet National Geographic explorers and trailblazers in the fields of conservation, science, nature, wildlife and the environment.

Christine Service, General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, said: “At National Geographic, we believe that when people understand the world better, they care more deeply for it. National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 133 years, and Team Sayari is a bright example of this mission and purpose.”

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, on her part, stated: “The American people are proud to work with private and local partners in Kenya and across Africa to motivate and inspire the next generation of environmental champions. Team Sayari, and its digital and educational outreach activities, engages young people in their schools and communities with fresh perspectives and new ideas, which is key to supporting the vision of a greener future for all.”

Dr. Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect, added: “Team Sayari is a first in so many ways. African children and experts presenting the continent's wealth of biodiversity treasures has never been seen before. The power of the series lies in the voices of African children calling each other to action.”