Who We Are?
The story behind fennec Education
Fennec Education began with a simple question: how can we help young children understand why healthy choices matter?
While explaining to her own children what different parts of the body do, and how food and everyday habits help care for them, founder Lamia Ghernati discovered that nutrition became much easier to understand when it started with something children were naturally curious about: their own bodies.
That idea became First Nutrition Adventures, a playful learning universe where Fennixis, Fennixia and their body friends help children discover the connections between their bodies, food and healthy habits.
Stories introduce the idea. Characters make it memorable. Play helps reinforce it.
What we value, our “Why”
We believe children are more likely to engage with healthy choices when they begin to understand why those choices matter.
Fennec Education introduces nutrition and health gradually through curiosity, storytelling, exploration and play. Children first discover their bodies and what they do, then explore how food and healthy habits can help support them.
Our learning journey follows a simple principle:
BODY → FUNCTION → FOOD → PLAY
Rather than simply giving children rules about what to eat, we aim to make them active participants in their own discovery, building positive foundations for nutrition and health as they grow.
Fun facts
– The fennec fox is Algeria’s national animal that lives in its Sahara. It is also the author’s home country. She decided to use the emblematic mascot to illustrate the two characters “Fennixis & Fennixia”.
– The two fennecs represent the author’s two children.
– The illustrator of the book is the author’s husband.
– The first drawings began unexpectedly when illustrator Marcelino Badaoui was stuck at home for a week after breaking his leg. What began as a way to pass the time led to the creation of Fennixis & Fennixia.
– Coincidence or not, during the process of Fennec Education’s creation in July 2019, the Algerian national football team also known as “Les Fennecs” won the CAN (the African Cup of Nations) on the 19th of the same month 😉
THE TEAM
Marcelino Badaoui BSCS | EMBA
Illustrator & Technology Lead
Marcelino Badaoui is the original illustrator behind Fennixis, Fennixia and many of the body and food characters that define the visual identity of First Nutrition Adventures.
With a background in computer science, technology and digital development, he also contributes to the project’s interactive experiences and games. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the Lebanese American University and an Executive MBA from the American University of Beirut.
Lamia Ghernati BABA | MSc PHNU
Creator & Writer | Public Health Nutrition Specialist
Lamia Ghernati is the creator and writer behind Fennec Education. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and a BA in Business Administration.
Her work explores how nutrition education, storytelling, technology and play can help make health concepts meaningful and accessible to children and families.
During her Master’s studies, her NUTRIKID project was selected for both the Global Grad Show and MENA Grad Show. The project explored a broader interactive approach to introducing children gradually to nutrition, health and the human body — an educational vision that continues to inform the development of Fennec Education today.
Rim El Helou BSNS | MSc PHNU
Nutrition Contributor & Blog Co-Writer
Rim El Helou holds a Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and a BSc in Nutritional Sciences from the Lebanese American University (LAU). Her work and research have focused on maternal and child nutrition, children’s food choices, and community health. At Fennec Education, she contributes her nutrition expertise and co-writes evidence-informed content for parents and caregivers, helping translate nutrition science into accessible and practical guidance for families.