Since 2022, Proyecto Tití has been working hand-in-hand with the Víctor Zubiría Educational Institution, bringing our CARTITILLA educational program into the classroom. Through this partnership, students are not only learning about cotton-top tamarins—they are discovering their own power as voices for conservation. One of the most impactful moments of the CARTITILLA is when students explore a simple but powerful idea: when cotton-top tamarins suffer, people suffer too. Through the story of Reinoso el Malososo, students begin to understand the ripple effects of forest destruction—how it affects wildlife, communities, and the future we all share.
But what happened next went far beyond the lesson plan.
During one session, Mr. José Gregorio Álvarez, a Spanish teacher at the school, saw an opportunity. His class was studying mass media, and he realized the themes of the CARTITILLA could come alive in a completely new way. That’s when the students created “Noti-tití” (Titi News)—their very own conservation newscast. The students organized and performed a lively and engaging broadcast, showing how technology can be used to inform their community about the importance of protecting cotton-top tamarins and their forest home. What stood out most was not just their creativity, but their confidence. These students didn’t just repeat what they had learned—they owned it
They already knew exactly what they wanted to say.
Our role shifted from teaching to supporting—adding a few key facts here and there—but the message, the energy, and the storytelling were entirely theirs. They took initiative beyond the classroom, meeting on their own time to write scripts, design props, and bring their ideas to life. On a Saturday in the rural community of Calle Larga, we came together to film their newscast. We captured every moment—handling the video, photography, and technical details—while the students took center stage as reporters, storytellers, and conservation advocates. This experience reflects something deeply important about Proyecto Tití’s approach: it’s not just about sharing knowledge, it’s about empowering action. Through projects like “Noti-tití,” students develop skills in research, teamwork, and communication—tools that will serve them far beyond the classroom. And perhaps most importantly, they discover that their voices matter. Seeing their excitement, creativity, and dedication was incredibly moving. The pride they felt in their work was undeniable, and the result was a newscast that was not only educational, but truly inspiring.
The story doesn’t end there. Mr. Álvarez is already planning the next step—guiding students into storytelling and comic book creation. Now, the opportunity is to build on this momentum, designing future lessons that continue to challenge and inspire these young conservation leaders to create meaningful, high-quality work. Because when students are given the chance to learn, create, and lead, something remarkable happens—they don’t just imagine a better future for cotton-top tamarins… They start building it.