Empowering Students: Together with FAO, Government, and Civil Society to Revitalize Zimbabwe’s Drylands

Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe – In Zimbabwe’s Shurugwi District, a unique partnership is fostering a green revolution. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Zimbabwean government and civil organizations, is engaging school children in reforestation efforts. This initiative is part of the GEF-7 Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP). By involving young students, the project aims to nurture a generation passionate about environmental care.

Students are taking part in various activities, like restoring gullies, creating tree nurseries, planting trees, monitoring soil erosion, and even producing herbal medicines from forest products. This not only helps the environment but also improves community livelihoods.

“Getting children involved in these environmental projects develops not just their skills but also a sense of responsibility toward the planet,” said Patrice Talla, FAO’s coordinator for Southern Africa. He recently visited Poshayi Primary School, one of many schools participating in this initiative. “We believe early engagement is key for a sustainable future. By teaching them to manage resources wisely, we’re building a greener tomorrow.”

To support this mission, FAO and its partners are establishing environmental clubs in schools. These clubs provide practical training and resources for students to partake in sustainable environmental practices. There are currently 146 schools actively involved in this project, which celebrates significant environmental days like World Environment Day and International Day of Forests. According to Precious Magwaza, the National Project Coordinator, the plan is to expand this effort to more schools in the future, reaching even more students.

Through these programs, students are learning about vital environmental issues and the sustainable use of resources. Teachers, like Regina Mupisa from Poshayi Primary School, note the students’ excitement: “They are engaged in clean-up drives, learning proper waste sorting, and even creating projects to tackle local environmental challenges.”

Students are also being taught how to prepare medicinal plants, preserving traditional knowledge while promoting health through natural remedies. They process herbs like neem and kigelia, showcasing their creativity and resourcefulness. For example, they’ve turned empty containers into seedling planters, repurposed rubble to fill gullies, and used bottles to water plants, exemplifying the initiative’s innovative spirit.

“We’re starting to see a ripple effect,” said Deputy Head Darius Gamana. “Kids learn about caring for the environment at school, and they bring that knowledge home, influencing their families and communities.” The environmental clubs at Poshayi Primary have planted 401 trees and nurtured over a thousand seedlings in their nurseries. This illustrates the impact even young students can have on reforestation efforts.

As this initiative unfolds, the early results are promising. Investing in the education and empowerment of youth is crucial for a sustainable future. By encouraging children to become environmental stewards, FAO, the government, and civil organizations are paving the way for a better world.

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, programs like this remind us of the immense power of youth engagement in environmental conservation. According to the World Economic Forum, empowering young people is essential, as they represent about 1.8 billion people worldwide—an untapped resource in the fight against climate change.

As communities witness the positive changes brought by these young advocates, the hope is that similar programs will emerge globally, fostering a united front against environmental challenges.

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