It all began in a moment of global uncertainty.
In 2020, as the world paused during the pandemic, a group of children and teenagers chose to turn their attention to the sea. That is how the Shark Club of Mundo Azul Foundation (FUNMZ) was born.m A virtual initiative created to keep curiosity alive, strengthen the bond with nature, and sustain hope. What no one anticipated was that this small online learning space would grow into a transformative movement now shaping the next generation of ocean defenders.
The Club goes far beyond teaching about sharks and rays. It restores pride in coastal communities, strengthens a sense of belonging, and reinforces the belief that knowledge has the power to shape the future. Every session, activity, and gathering is designed not only to educate, but to inspire.
The Ocean as a Living Classroom
There are no walls or traditional chalkboards here. The classroom is the shoreline, the sound of waves, the feel of sand between their fingers, and the thrill of discovery.
Participants explore the biology of sharks and rays found along Guatemala’s Pacific coast. They learn why these species are essential to ocean health and come to understand that protecting them also means protecting their own future. Science is no longer distant or abstract, it becomes something tangible, experienced through both intellect and emotion.
They also confront reality. Discussions about pollution, overfishing, and environmental change are grounded not in despair, but in action. Young participants learn they are part of the solution, that their voices matter and that leadership has no minimum age.
Five Years of Planting the Future
What began with 40 participants joining virtual workshops from different countries quickly expanded. Between 2021 and 2022, more than 170 children and youth from nine countries became part of the program during the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
A pivotal moment came in 2023, when the Club launched in-person activities in Las Lisas and Sipacate. Learning moved beyond screens and into daily life. Children who once saw the ocean as scenery began to see it as a living ecosystem in need of stewardship.
More than 25 participants transformed their learning into a theatrical production titled “We Are Guardians of the Sea.” It was more than a performance, it was a declaration of commitment. Families listened as their children spoke about conservation, respect for marine life, and the shared responsibility to protect the ocean.
Today, the program continues to grow, with adolescents training as environmental leaders within their own communities.
Learning by Doing, Caring in Order to Conserve
At Shark Club, learning is hands-on, creative, and emotionally engaging. Art, play, and scientific exploration are woven together to demonstrate that conservation is not an abstract concept, it is a lived experience.
When participants draw shark anatomy or create stories about the sea, they are building more than knowledge. They are forming a personal relationship with nature.
When an emotional connection forms, the desire to protect naturally follows.
Impact Beyond the Numbers
Knowledge levels among participants have increased by 30 to 50 percent. Yet statistics alone cannot capture the true transformation.
The most meaningful change is seeing children speak proudly about their ocean, question harmful practices, and propose solutions. It is hearing young people say they aspire to become marine biologists, environmental educators, or community advocates. It is witnessing how education plants the seeds of the future.
None of This Happens Alone
The Shark Club has been made possible through the support of The Rufford and Luis von Ahn Foundation, partners who believe in environmental education as a catalyst for real change.
But the story does not end here. Every new workshop, field trip, educational resource, and safe learning space requires continued support.
Today, you can be part of this journey. Your donation is more than financial support, it is an opportunity for more children and youth to discover their connection to the ocean. It is an investment in education, community leadership, and marine conservation in Guatemala. It is a commitment to those who will protect our seas tomorrow.
Behind every participant is a story just beginning. With your support, that story can multiply. Every ocean guardian deserves the opportunity to learn.
Know. Love. Conserve.
Support our marine conservation education programs at:
www.fundacionmundoazul.com