Envision a school curriculum that incorporates activities such as beekeeping, honey harvesting, chicken raising, outdoor cooking, shelter building, gardening, composting, worm care, and tree hugging. This vision could soon become a reality in the UAE, thanks to Syrian expatriate Sherin Bodekji Wanes. A passionate advocate for nature and a successful entrepreneur, Sherin aims to introduce her Forest School programme to schools across the UAE. Born and raised in Syria, Sherin relocated to the UAE 15 years ago. After a decade, following the loss of her corporate job, she established Natura Tribe, the region's first nature-inspired community.
"I aspire to create nature-centric spaces for children throughout the UAE and integrate nature into their educational experience. Additionally, I aim to position Dubai as the focal point for all nature-related activities and education," she states. Sherin views Natura Tribe as her "third child," alongside her two biological children, aged four and six. The initiative was born from her desire to provide her children and others in the community with the type of nature-rich upbringing she experienced during her own childhood in Syria. Her goal is to foster a profound love and respect for nature among children, which she believes is crucial for the well-being of future generations.
With a robust academic background in business administration and strategic marketing, Sherin has also earned several specialized certifications, including recognition as a fully qualified Forest School Leader by The Forest Schools Education UK, a Therapeutic Forest School Practitioner for children of determination, a Green Educator certified by the Green School Bali, and a qualified beekeeper and permaculture designer. These qualifications have equipped her to develop and lead a variety of nature-based programs aimed at reconnecting people with the natural world.
Sherin's journey into environmental education began during the Covid-19 pandemic when she lost her corporate job while on maternity leave. Faced with career uncertainty, she turned her focus to her children and noticed a concerning trend: her young ones had begun to fear the outdoors. "During the lockdown, my little ones always wanted to return home from our walks. I recall as a child never wanting to go back home from play. I always wanted my kids to grow up in nature, to fall in love with it and to have a genuine childhood like I did. I grew up in Syria by the sea. Collecting shells, eating fruits from the trees, running barefoot, swinging and climbing trees, planting… I believe I had a truly beautiful childhood."
Another significant motivating factor for starting Natura Tribe was her observation that nannies in the community had minimal interaction with the children during outdoor activities, often just pushing them in strollers. "So, I decided to be the change I wanted to see. I gathered my kids and the kids in my community under one tree and began running nature-based activities for them," she explains. Today, Natura Tribe offers a wide array of programs for children aged one to 12, as well as workshops for adults, parents, educators, and caregivers. These activities include playdates, camps, night safaris, and therapeutic forest sessions, as well as special events such as birthdays and corporate programs. Sherin's sessions are designed to teach children essential survival skills, mindfulness, and a deep appreciation for the environment.
"Thanks to my background in public relations, I manage my business independently. I designed my website, handle my social media, and create my programs. I have received incredible support from an Emirati businesswoman, Nadia Zaal, who believed in me when I was starting and provided that crucial push," she said. Sherin's commitment to nature education extends beyond her immediate community. She has launched the first International Forest School Leader Training Programme in the Middle East, attracting participants from across the region, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Lebanon. She also organizes the Nature Fair, a bi-monthly nature-based festival in Al Barari, which brings together people from across the Emirates to celebrate their connection to the environment through workshops, music, and mindfulness.
Sherin is passionate about weaving with natural materials, bushcraft, natural dyes, regenerative gardening, and nature crafts. She also creates plant-based playdough (the first in the Middle East), which is sold across various eco-friendly kids' toy stores in the UAE. "Kids at my sessions hug trees, thank them for the fruits and shade, and know their names. My aim is to inspire the young generation to become the Keepers of Mother Nature," she asserts. Sherin has traveled to 56 countries, incorporating the best practices from her global experiences into her innovative modules. She admires the support and flexibility of the UAE in helping her realize her dream.
"I love spending my holidays in remote destinations learning from the people of the land. Wherever I go for trainings and during my travels, I showcase my business and what we have created here, and people are shocked that these sessions happen in the UAE. They simply can't believe that we have this greenery and these kinds of programs here," she said. Sherin asserts that the benefits of nature programs for kids at young ages are endless. "Kids become more confident, they will know how to evaluate risks, they will have better communication and social skills, emotional and cognitive skills, and they will become solution-oriented. We all had that moment where once we step into the forest, we calm down. We all need nature for our well-being. I had kids coming to my sessions who couldn't walk barefoot or couldn't touch mud. Now they are nature lovers to the core," she adds.
Looking ahead, Sherin envisions creating nature spaces for children across the UAE and incorporating nature-based learning into school curricula. She is dedicated to making Dubai a hub for nature activities and education and is proud to have received the Golden Visa for her contributions. "What some people don't understand is that it's in our genes to be one with nature and if we fight that, we will be sick and will have so many disorders and issues. So, we have to teach kids from a young age to respect and love nature." For more information, follow natura.tribe on Instagram or contact wknd@khaleejtimes.com.
