The event had the special collaboration of storyteller Sofia Maul.
On March 21, around 40 primary school students from Casa Pia de Lisboa's CED D. Maria Pia took part in an activity designed to promote environmental education and strengthen ties between children from Mozambique and Portugal.
The session was based on the story “A Formiga Juju e a Cidade das Papaias”, a Mozambican tale by Cristiana Pereira, with a strong message of respect for the environment and encouraging active and responsible citizenship. Storyteller Sofia Maul, who is part of the Teatro dos Contabandistas group, began the activity with a dramatization of the children's tale, with the children living Juju's story with intensity and taking part in a waste collection simulation. After seeing some photos of a JUJU Ant activity at the Muxuquete Complete Primary School in Mozambique and exchanging impressions with AIDGLOBAL facilitator Sofia Lopes, the long-awaited snack time arrived, with papaya smoothies and papaya fruit ready to eat! The children and teachers then set off for the gardens of CED Maria Pia, where Mr. Alberto Silva was already waiting with the tree ready to be planted, an action that was attended by the Headmaster, Manuel Ventura, who reinforced, in a short speech, our responsibility to take care of nature. There was also room for creativity in this initiative and the youngsters colored in the Juju Ant drawings created by Mozambican Walter Zand. On them, the students wrote their messages to commemorate Arbor Day, to be sent to their peers in Mozambique, in an exchange initiative between the two countries. This activity was only possible thanks to the involvement of staff, educators and students from the various sectors of CED D. Maria Pia, who quickly welcomed JUJU's visit as an opportunity to celebrate Arbor Day. It is worth highlighting the commitment of teacher Isabel Gil in mobilizing the staff to buy the tree and supporting the logistics. Special thanks also go to the final year students of the Professional Restaurant Technician Course - level IV (Restaurant/Bar), coordinated by trainer Nelson Joaquim, who prepared delicious papaya smoothies and papaya tasting dishes, which were donated by Auchan Hipermercados Portugal SA, Pingo Doce and Lidl & Cia. A celebration is always a moment of pleasure, but for these children from Casa Pia de Lisboa, the “presence” of Ant Juju and his friends made this Arbor Day unforgettable! See the photos here See the list of thanks here.
