My name is Anne-Gaëlle Carré, but I’m known as Anga. This summer, I participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship, where I attended courses at Louisiana State University, and worked with Planet Forward, an environmental journalism project of George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

The experience led me to reflect on the opportunities I’ve had to create strong bonds with nature and the cultural heritage of Mauritius, my home. But in this rapidly changing world, new technological factors like increased screen time threaten the relationship this generation of children have with the world around them.

As I return home to Mauritius, this Storymap outlines my plan to reconnect young people with my island’s magnificent natural environment and the stories passed down from older generations. But this is just the beginning.

The Storymap below offers a glimpse into how the vision for protecting these invaluable parts of our identity first took shape in my mind. But the true journey lies ahead — creating a lasting space for youth to become stewards of their environment and culture. It’s a movement to ensure future generations cherish and safeguard the heritage that defines us.