Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Gorongosa Celebrates World Children's Day

Jun 27, 2007 - Gorongosa National Park

Gorongosa National Park celebrated World Children's Day by hosting more than 250 children on May 31- June2, 2007, for a day of fun and conservation education. The children came from the nearby communities of Inhambita, Vinho, and Casa Banana, and from Chitengo camp.

The children went on a game drive through the Park, providing the first opportunity ever for many to see some of Mozambique's native fauna, including impala, warthogs, and waterbuck.

Later, they participated in a workshop on how and why to plant indigenous trees, planting more than two dozen trees in Chitengo, and learned techniques for making jewelry in a crafts workshop led by our artist-in-residence, Milton Trindade. During lunch, groups from the different villages performed dances and songs for one another, and later engaged in a friendly inter-village football match.

The children left singing new conservation songs written by Gorongosa National Park Administrator Baldeu Chande, eager for a return trip to Gorongosa.

Song lyrics by Baldeu Chande:

To the tune of the song: Kanimambo

I went to
Gorongosa National Park
Back in the bush
I saw a big elephant
The elephant (or impala, warthog, hippo)
Is also Mozambican
The elephant
Also has a right to a life.

To the tune of the song: We are successful

Those who have a Park like ours
Must call to others to come see it
It is ours, it is ours
All the people can come to see it.

To the tune of Hina hi ta famba

Our forests
And our animals
Will be
For our children
In Mozambique
We don't want
To destroy
Our animals
Hunter, Hunter
Return to your house
Your chicken is calling
Go take care of her
Our forests
And our animals
Will be
For our children
In Mozambique
We don't want
To destroy
Our flora
Beekeeper (woodcutter, coal dealer, etc.), Beekeeper
Return to your house
Make a beehive
Go and take care of this
Our forests
And our animals
Will be
For our children
In Mozambique
We don't want
To destroy
Our animals