Capacity Development
The objective of this output was to strengthen capacities of partner organization in their countries and therefore allow for strengthening of the target groups including farmers, learners and communities. Various activities took place under this output, including;
EduMobile (EduV)
Four schools where visited with a total of 80 learners and 8 teachers participating. Four environmental clubs were formed at the four schools that were visited. This was caused by limited number of learners due to Covid-19 restrictions. The formation of the environmental clubs at these schools ensured that more learners who were not part of the training also gain knowledge from the clubs through the multiply effect. In addition, these teachers also act as multiply to at least 40 learners as per the ratio of teachers to learners in Namibia; totaling an additional 320 learners.
In addition, four school gardens were supported with garden materials and is used for practical learning activities in subjects such as Agriculture and Life science and the sales of the harvest used to supplement the Environmental club financial activities.
Exchange visits of target communities in the provinces West Cape and North Cape (SPP)
Two exchange visits were conducted. Visit one place with 14 participants (of which 7 were youth) from the west coast to the Western Cape demonstration site. The participants visited the Paarl and Carolusberg sites, as well as a site in Vaalwater (Springbok) in the Northern Cape. The participants had positive feedback which included (1) the future establishment of a AE Nursery in Vanrhynsdorp; (2) Expansion of production areas for the youth of Doringbaai by accessing unutilsed land; (3) New agro-ecological techniques were learnt.
Another exchange was conducted at the Paarl site and was attended by communities from urban Witzenberg Forestry.
Workshops with target communities in agro-ecological land use (SPP)
To date a total of 149 people participated in the 5 workshops of whom 71 were male (45 %) and 87 were female (55%). Approximately 12% of the participants were youth.
Participants were representatives from emerging farmer and farm worker / dweller groups from across Matzikama and Cederberg. Local towns West Coast towns and villages include Doornbaai, Lutzville, Koekenaap, Vredendal, Klawer, Van Rhynsdorp, Citrusdal, Lamberts Bay, Elands Bay, Cape Town and Springbok in the North West province.
Construction of an environmental education centre in Boane/Mozambique incl. equipment (ASDA)
Under the direction of ASDA, an environmental education center was set up in the municipality of Boane and provided with the necessary equipment to be able to offer environmental education in practice to various target groups. The land was provided by the municipality so ASDA does not pay any rent. For the construction, mainly local building materials (mainly wood, stones and reed) and recycled materials (plastics) were used. The community members actively supported the construction of the center by organizing the procurement of the local material. The center has a four rooms building of about 90 m². In addition to the main build, there is a storage room, a toilet (latrine) and a veranda. This is located on a 5 ha plot of land also provided the Boane Municipality; giving this center the opportunity to expand further and carry out more activities.
Training of target groups in sustainable environmental education (ASDA)
As part of the achieving this activity, a project presentation was conducted at four primary school and one secondary school in Boane district to introduce the project and its activities in schools in the district. A total of 1857 learners and teachers attended these presentations at the five schools visited.
After the project presentations, the school directors / principal appointed 1 teacher from each school to mobilise the learners in activities supporting the project activities.
The following schools were visited:
Eduardo Mondlane Primary School, Jossias Tongagary Primary School, Ambrosio Primary School, 25 de June Primary School, Eduardo Mondlane Secondary School, Chigubuta Primary School. In addition, during EduVentures visits, two schools (Eduardo Mondlane and Chigubuta) were revisited to further strengthen cooperation.
Three workshops on general environmental topics and agroecology took place last year. The theme of the workshop varied with two of them focusing on reusing and recycling agriculture products and implements back into improving agricultural outputs. One workshop focused agroecological practices from soil preparation to small stock management.
Pilot project: Inclusion of environmental education in teacher training curriculum (ASDA)
As part of this activity, a MOU was setup with the University of Pedagogy in Maputo to pave way for the inclusion of environmental education in the teacher training curriculum. Further discussions are still taking place to continue this collaboration
