Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Students Organize Environment Day

Jun 5, 2008 - Vila Gorongosa

A group of high school students from Vila Gorongosa decided to spread the message of the importance of protecting the environment to their entire town. The students organized “Environment Day” which took place on June 5th. Fifteen students from Eduardo Mondlane Secondary School took the initiative to organize this special day to raise awareness about how and why the people of their community should protect the environment. The student leaders came up with this idea and organized all of the activities with the support and encouragement of their teachers Adolfo, Rosa and Dionisio.

The afternoon began with a parade which started at Vila Gorongosa’s Resource Center, ran through the center of town, and ended at Cristo Rey Secondary School. When the group arrived at the secondary school, more festivities ensued. They held competitions for the best short plays, songs, sports and speeches about the environment. Through these activities, the students explained that protecting the Park and mountain also means protecting the resources they need to live, such as clean water, fresh air, and fertile soils. They also explained how some common practices directly harm the environment, such as burning areas to farm, and poaching. A large crowd of students and town residents attended the events and celebrated late into the evening.