Twelve-year-old Beaullar from Chipinge has big dreams for the future. When she grows up, she wants to become a weather reporter, sharing vital information that helps communities prepare for changing weather patterns and stay safe during disasters. She is already putting that dream into practice as a member of the Disaster Risk Reduction Club at her school.
Cynthia Chimbunde/ Save the Children.
Chipinge, located in southeastern Zimbabwe along the Mozambican border, is among the areas most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Heavy rains, flash floods and destructive winds regularly threaten homes, livelihoods and schools. For children like Beaullar, these hazards disrupt their education.
Her school sits on elevated ground and is surrounded by rivers that swell rapidly during the rainy season.
"When it rains heavily, the rivers fill up and we cannot pass to come to school," Beaullar explains.
Last year, strong winds accompanied by heavy rains tore the roof off one of the school's classroom blocks, damaging learning materials and disrupting lessons for months.
"Our classroom roof was blown off by strong winds and many of our books were destroyed," she recalls. "We had to share learning space with the other classes, and learning was difficult because we were overcrowded and we did not have enough books."
Experiences like these have shown Beaullar and her peers how vulnerable their school can be when disasters strike. But they have also inspired them to become part of the solution.
Through the European Union Humanitarian Aid-funded Acting Together for Responsive and Integrated Systems for Children's Access to Education in Emergencies (ARISE) project, Save the Children and its local partner, Simukai Child Protection Programme, are supporting schools in Chipinge to strengthen their preparedness for emergencies and ensure that children can continue learning safely and uninterrupted during times of crisis.
As a member of the DRR Club, Beaullar and her peers have worked with their teachers to identify and map the hazards affecting their school. Together, they developed ways to reduce risks and protect themselves when disasters occur.
One of the most important lessons has been understanding the dangers posed by flooded rivers.
"In the DRR club we learnt that when the river is flooded, we should not attempt to cross it," says Beaullar.
Armed with this knowledge, club members have become safety ambassadors within their school. Twice each month, they lead awareness sessions for fellow learners using poems, songs and drama performances to teach disaster preparedness and safety messages.
"We educate our peers that they should not cross flooded rivers and how they can protect themselves from other hazards such as fires," she says.
The project has also equipped the school with essential resources that support preparedness and emergency response. Among these is a rain gauge, which helps learners and teachers monitor rainfall levels and anticipate potential flooding.
"The rain gauge helps us measure rainfall when we are at school," Beaullar explains. "When rainfall levels are high, it means the rivers may already be flooded, and our teachers will instruct us to remain in school for our safety."
The school also received a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and recreational materials that can be used when learners are required to remain at school during adverse weather conditions. To help ensure that children do not go hungry during emergencies, the school was provided with corn-soya blend porridge as an emergency food reserve, complementing the Government's school feeding programme.
Beyond disaster preparedness, the project has strengthened child protection systems within the school. Beaullar and her classmates have learnt about their rights and responsibilities, while safe reporting mechanisms, including an anonymous suggestion box, allow children to raise concerns and seek help when needed.
"We were taught that if we have issues affecting us, we should report these to our teachers," says Beaullar. "We also have a suggestion box at our school where we can report anonymously."
For Beaullar, the knowledge and skills she has gained through the Disaster Risk Reduction Club have strengthened her determination to serve her community in the future. As climate-related disasters become increasingly common in Chipinge, she is using what she learns to help other children stay safe.
Beaullar's story is one of thousands being shaped by the ARISE project. Implemented by Save the Children through its local partners Simukai Child Protection Programme in Chipinge and Bantwana Zimbabwe in Mangwe, together with Government departments, the project is strengthening schools and communities to better prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid, the two-year project is supporting 35 schools across the two districts—15 in Chipinge and 20 in Mangwe—and is expected to directly reach 17,110 children. Through strengthened disaster preparedness, child protection systems and safer, inclusive learning environments, the project is helping ensure that children can continue learning safely and with dignity, even when crises strike.
Members of the DRR club during a practical lesson on measuring rainfall. Cynthia Chimbunde/ Save the Children.
One of the small rivers that fills up during the rainy season. Cynthia Chimbunde/ Save the Children.
Beaullar's School Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Map. Cynthia Chimbunde/ Save the Children.
The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) club conducting a first aid simulation. Cynthia Chimbunde/ Save the Children.
Written by: Cynthia Chimbunde
