Gaucho Manuel’s Green Mindset Journey at School
Amid the lively exchanges of students and the supportive presence of teachers at 7 de Abril Secondary School, the school is seeing meaningful changes in student engagement and environmental awareness. At the heart of it is Gaucho Manuel, 17 years old, living with a physical disability, who has become a symbol of resilience, leadership and environmental change.
Gaucho is not just an ordinary student. He is the president of the school's Environmental Club, an initiative created through the LINK Programme with support from the Grieg Foundation. With quiet pride, he says: “We plant trees to create shade, produce fruit, and fight climate change.” With determination, he leads his classmates in turning barren spaces into welcoming green corners of the school.
He actively participates in tree planting and environmental education, and his voice carries confidence when he speaks to classmates about protecting the environment. His journey shows that when education is inclusive and encourages practical action, students can develop skills, friendships, and a sense of purpose that reach far beyond the classroom.
“The main goal of the club is for these activities to reflect in the communities where these students come from,” says Teacher Dique Zua, who mentors the group. “This programme includes a special component. In addition to learning about the environment, students explore practical solutions. And most importantly, children with disabilities are included in every part of the process. Gaucho’s story is inspiring. He leads with passion, motivates his peers and shows that everyone has a role to play.”
“The main goal of the club is for these activities to reflect in the communities where these students come from”
Gaucho Manuel has become a symbol of resilience, leadership and environmental change. Since the club’s inception, students have planted over 55 trees and developed a green mindset about climate change.
“We plant trees to create shade, produce fruit, and fight climate change.”
Gaucho’s hands still hold the warmth of the soil after planting trees with friends, and his voice carries confidence when he speaks to classmates about protecting the environment. His journey shows that when education is inclusive and encourages practical action, students can develop skills, friendships, and a sense of purpose that reach far beyond the classroom. Gaucho Manuel has become a symbol of resilience, leadership and environmental change.
Reflecting on this journey, he shares his gratitude: “We thank the Grieg Foundation for helping, for supporting and for participating in this project here at 7 de Abril School. For us students, this is very important, and also for the school. Thank you.”
Gaucho’s story is a powerful reminder that when we invest in inclusive education and sustainable solutions, we harvest real change.
The LINK Programme, supported by the Grieg Foundation, provided training, materials, and mentorship to launch the Environmental Club. And thanks to this support, more children and young people like him are now planting trees, protecting the planet and building a fairer and more resilient future.
Gaucho is part of one of several student groups across 2 schools in Manica. Training is provided by the LINK Programme, and children are selected by their schools based on interest and commitment. They join to learn practical environmental solutions and develop leadership skills. This initiative is being implemented as part of the overall LINK project, which aims to promote inclusive education, climate resilience, and youth leadership.
Who: Save the Children Oslo
What: Climate Adaptation in Mozambique: An Investment in Children's Futur
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