How school gardening is transforming students in Madabeno, Aileu Municipality

Aileu, 13 June 2025 - In the quiet mountains of Aileu municipality, a powerful transformation is taking root. As part of the school curriculum and with support from UNICEF through MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand Government) funding, the Ministry of Education initiative School Gardening (To’os iha Eskola) helps students cultivate life skills, responsibility, and a deep connection to their environment.

This initiative first emerged as part of the Nature-Based-Solutions program, which focused on raising awareness around water conservation and greening activities in schools. Through those efforts, students and teachers were trained to understand the importance of preserving natural resources and using sustainable practices. One of the most visible outcomes of that training was the establishment of school gardens.  

At the EBF Madabeno School, 12-year-old Rainha Silvia da Silva dos Santos and 12-year-old Fredy Jose de Deus took part in a movement that has transformed their school into a vibrant learning space. The two students, now in Grade 6, have learnt the basics of permaculture gardening. They are learning and practicing permaculture farming, an environmentally friendly and sustainable way of growing vegetables, which children can easily adapt to.   

“Our teacher taught us how to grow vegetables, prepare the soil and fertilizer, and take care of the plants until they’re ready to harvest,” Rainha proudly shared, as she shows some of the including eggplant, cabbage, squash, tomatoes, and lettuce they have grown using this method. “We learn not only by reading, but also by practicing.”  

Besides supporting learning, the produce from the garden also contributes to the school lunch program (merenda eskolar), allowing schools to reduce their vegetable purchases and to serve fresh, organic, and healthy meals harvested directly from their own gardens.

"The food is delicious because we grew it," Rainha said with a smile.  

Through this initiative, the school also introduced drip irrigation systems, which means tubing with emitters is placed directly along the base of the plants. Water is slowly dripped directly into the soil at the root zone, minimizing waste and ensuring efficient use of resources. This innovation is part of the broader water conservation knowledge gained through the National Directorate of Schools Social Action (DNASEAS) under the Ministry of Education. It is also supported by UNICEF through its Water Catchment Management Project, which helps schools strengthen their water systems and adopt sustainable practices.  

They are also proud to learn traditional farming techniques, such as creating farmyard planting sites, preparing soil, and making natural fertilizers using simple methods their parents and grandparents have used for years.  

“It’s fun and useful,” said Fredy. "Now we can help our parents grow vegetables at home too. We know how to take care of the vegetables, protect them with a fence so that animals cannot come and destroy them."  

This activity is co-curricular, enhancing students' learning through hands-on experience. It takes place every Saturday, while during the week, students take turns watering and tending to the vegetables before and after class. These hands-on experiences transform students, instilling in them lifelong values of teamwork, caring, and sustainability.  

This initiative has transformed the school environment, what was once an unused patch of land, is now a flourishing garden full of color, life, and learning. Before UNICEF's intervention, the area was little more than a wasteland. Today, it stands as a living classroom where students not only grow vegetables but also build confidence, develop practical skills, and strengthen their connection to their environment. 

The impact of the garden now extends beyond the school gates. Inspired by what their children are learning and bringing home, many parents have started their own small gardens. The school has become a model for the community, showing how even limited space can be turned into a productive and educational green area. Through their children, families are adopting new gardening techniques, improving household nutrition, and strengthening their bond with the environment. 

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