The Awards recognised six Southern African schools that achieved their Bronze Award for their commitment to environmental education and sustainability, says WESSA.

Each of the six Eco Clubs showcased their year-long projects and the positive changes they are driving within their communities, adds WESSA.

Strengthening Food Security Through Health and Wellbeing

All six schools successfully implemented the "Health and Wellbeing" theme, focusing on strengthening food security through sustainable food gardening. Their work aims to highlight how environmental education can directly improve nutrition, resilience and community wellbeing, says WESSA.

To further support their learning, each school received a hydroponic system, aimed at enabling them to expand food production while integrating innovation, science and practical environmental learning into the curriculum, adds WESSA.

Awarded Schools

  • Zambia: Lupani Primary School (Rural) and Twabuka Primary School (Semi-Urban).
  • Zimbabwe: Mizpah Primary School (Semi-Urban), Chamabondo Primary School (Urban/Town), Ngamo Primary School (Rural) and Ziga Primary School (Rural).

A Regional Partnership Strengthening Environmental Education

This celebration also aims to reflect and continue the growing impact of WESSA's Eco-Schools programme across Southern Africa. In Zimbabwe, the programme strengthened significantly following a three-day WESSA-led training with the CITW team, conducted by Nomfundo Ndlovu, WESSA Senior Manager, Schools and Youth Programmes, says WESSA.

During this engagement, she also visited multiple schools across the country to understand their unique challenges and opportunities, adds WESSA.

"These six schools have shown what is possible when environmental learning becomes hands-on, purposeful, and rooted in the realities of their communities," says Ndlovu. "Their commitment to the Health and Wellbeing theme, from food gardens to hydroponic systems, demonstrates how young people can lead transformative change when they are empowered with the right tools and guidance."

"We are incredibly proud of the teachers, learners, and CITW mentors who have embraced Eco-Schools with such passion and determination. Their successes are not just school achievements; they are seeds of hope for a more resilient and sustainable Southern Africa," says Ndlovu.

"The integration of the FEE programme through WESSA has significantly strengthened our existing initiatives, enabling CITW to more effectively educate Africa's children on the importance of environmental stewardship and caring for our planet," says Susan Goatley, the Programme Coordinator of CITW.

Celebrating a Shared Mission for Sustainability

The partnership between WESSA and Children in the Wilderness aims to help cultivate a new generation of young environmental leaders in Zambia and Zimbabwe. By nurturing environmental awareness, strengthening food security and encouraging innovation, these schools can lay the foundation for healthier, more sustainable communities.

For more information, visit www.wessa.org.za. You can also follow WESSA on Facebook, X or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor