Gésica Canivete’s Story

I grew up in the second largest city in Mozambique – the disparities between that city and the city where I went to University are minimal. However, going to Nampula, which is the most populous city – was something else. There are many challenges – health, poverty, WASH, school dropout… Nampula has a reality that is very different to where I come from, and informed me with a much larger view of my country.

Before I joined the project, the information I had about WASH was superficial. I have a degree in Oceanography, and my classes NEVER touched on these subjects. I was a little uncomfortable with Permaculture – I had never heard of that.  This project was the first time I was in contact with these themes – it gave me the chance to study – to understand better and enrich my knowledge.  I had already worked with children – but not bringing scientific information.  It was my first time being trained to facilitate sessions on WASH, so I was also developing new skills.

And then we had the challenge to share the knowledge with the children – it is not easy at all – you have to take great care. 

The fact that it is a more practical training – not just explanatory – but DOING, makes a lot of difference.  The Mwarusis thinking of solutions,  knowing that they have a voice, and being asked to use it, I could see in them something I didn’t have at that age.  I didn’t know that these Mwarusis had voices, and could occupy the spaces of leadership, of decision making.  And very interesting to see that it was the younger ones who helped and assisted the older ones!

And the result – we could see in the last two workshops.  

To SEE the evolution of the Mwarusis…the co-creation of ideas that they had thought of – was LITERALLY INCREDIBLE…that they had developed their knowledge so much.  They showed their thoughts in 3D, and then had to explain how that solution was going to work.  They succeeded and it was rewarding. 

I believe now that it is not impossible to transfer scientific knowledge to children.  

I know that children can develop scale models that many adults would not be able to do.

I recognize that they have incredible potential.

I see that the Mwarusis are more aware and determined – and they believe that they are agents of transformation of their communities – and they have a commitment to spread the information – they said “sister – from today – I will start talking to everyone – because we believe that this information cannot go unknown”.