Lambaréné is counting on its youth to protect biodiversity: Green Clubs in action

A new green breeze of hope is blowing at Charles Mefane public high school. Members of the Green Clubs from eight primary and secondary schools gathered with a shared commitment to protecting Gabon’s biodiversity. In partnership with the Provincial Academic Department of Moyen-Ogooué, UNICEF organized an inspiring training session for the green clubs supervisors and facilitators.

Objective: To transform schools into hubs of ecological awareness, practical action, and sustainable collaboration.

During the session, Mr. Arnaud Oyabi, a passionate trainer, captivated the audience by highlighting the crucial role of Green Clubs in raising environmental awareness. He explained how they function and shared strategies to turn them into powerful tools for local change. Through rich, hands-on themes, participants explored multiple ways to make their schools genuine ecosystems for nature conservation.

But the most touching moment of the day came from the spontaneous engagement of two participants:

Alicia, 11 years old, from Jacqueline Rawiri Primary School, and
Ogoula Wary, 13 years old, from Charles Mefane school,
spoke during the presentation of their action plans, demonstrating impressive maturity as they pledged to actively contribute to their respective Green Clubs. Two young, passionate voices embodying the Gabon of tomorrow—greener, fairer, and more engaged.

And taking it even further…
The following day, the Governor of the Moyen-Ogooué Province honored the event with his presence at the UNICEF sanitation kits distribution ceremony, aimed at improving hygiene conditions in school green spaces.

"By planting the seeds of respect for nature in schools, we nurture a generation of responsible citizens."