Cultivating Knowledge: Empowering Students Through Environmental Education and Garden Preparation

When young people understand the environment, they begin to protect it. When they touch the soil, plant seeds, and nurture life, they form a deeper connection not only with nature but also with themselves. This powerful belief is the driving force behind CODEWA’s Go Green Project at Town School in Tabora.

Why Environmental Education Matters

Across Tanzania, environmental literacy among children remains low. Many schools still rely heavily on theory-based teaching, leaving students with limited exposure to hands-on experiences that encourage responsibility and care for the natural world. This gap contributes to deforestation, poor waste management, and a weakened culture of environmental stewardship.

Town School faced these same challenges. Students were eager for learning that went beyond textbooks—learning they could feel, practice, and take home to their families.

How CODEWA Transformed Learning Through Action

To respond to this need, CODEWA developed an immersive environmental education program that reached more than 100 students. The sessions covered essential topics such as:

• Conservation and biodiversity
• Waste management and recycling
• Tree-planting techniques
• Climate change awareness
• Sustainable gardening and agriculture

But education didn’t stop at theory. Students were engaged in the hands-on preparation of the school garden—a crucial step toward the school’s green transformation. Through their school clubs, they:

• Prepared and softened the soil
• Dug and leveled garden beds
• Mixed manure and organic fertilizers
• Cleared the land
• Measured and marked planting zones

The entire school environment became a vibrant, living classroom.

A Voice from the Garden

“Before this project, I had never touched a hoe,” shared a Standard VI student. “Now I know how to prepare a garden and why trees are important. I even taught my siblings at home.”

This testimony reflects the ripple effect of experiential learning—students not only grow in knowledge but also become teachers and champions in their communities.

What This Phase Accomplished

The environmental education and preparation phase resulted in:

• Increased environmental awareness and confidence
• Strong student participation and enthusiasm
• Practical skill-building in agriculture
• A fully prepared garden ready for planting

Where We Are Now

The same students who helped prepare the garden are now leading the daily maintenance and care of the plants. Their ownership proves one powerful truth: when young people are trained, they lead.

Rejoindre le mouvement

Support CODEWA as we continue nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards in Tanzania.

Reflection

Education becomes transformative when it leaves the four walls of a classroom. At Town School, students didn’t just learn about the environment—they became active participants in healing and restoring it.