UNICEF Youth Leading in Water Resilience

4. Impact story Restoring Hope, One Wetland at a Time. Moduopo Primary School’s Journey in Citizen Science

For Mrs. Christina Lephalala, a Grade 7 teacher and Environmental Coordinator at Moduopo Primary School, education has always been about more than textbooks and classrooms—it is about inspiring young minds to become stewards of their environment. When she joined the UNICEF WASH Project with WESSA, she saw an opportunity not only to teach her learners about water quality but also to turn knowledge into action. During a school-led water testing session, Mrs Lephalala and her eco-committee learners made a significant discovery. They found that one of the local wetlands near their school, situated at Link Road, Esselen Park in Tembisa, was in distress. Once a thriving ecosystem, it had become overrun with pollution, neglected waste, and invasive plant species. This discovery was not a reason to despair, but a call to action that Mrs. Lephalala was quick to answer. Building on her commitment to environmental education, Mrs Lephalala is leading Moduopo Primary School’s first significant wetland restoration event— the Tembisa Wetland Clean-Up & World Water Day Commemoration set for 27 March 2025. This initiative, in collaboration with the Green Development Foundation, WESSA and the City of Ekurhuleni, will mobilise UNICEF Youth Leading Water Resilience Project learners, community members, and stakeholders. Their collective effort will not only clean the wetland but also raise awareness for the importance of clean water for a clean environment and a healthy community. With the theme “Protecting Our Wetlands, Securing Our Water Future,” the event will raise awareness about the role of wetlands in water security while fostering hands-on citizen science and community action. Mrs. Lephalala envisions this clean-up as the first step in a long-term commitment— one where Moduopo Primary School adopts and maintains the wetland as part of its WESSA Eco Schools projects. By involving corporate partners, volunteers, and local government, she aims to ensure sustained action and community ownership, making this wetland a living classroom for future generations. “This is more than just a school project, it is about giving our learners real-world experiences that empower them to protect their future. They are no longer just students but environmental leaders, and this wetland is their legacy.” Mrs Lephalala As the restoration continues, Moduopo Primary School’s wetland project is a testament to the power of education, citizen science and community action. Mrs Lephalala’s story is not just one of change—it is a story of hope, resilience, and the belief that even the smallest hands can make a big difference. UNICEF Youth Leading in Water Resilience Report 2025 16

Moduopo Primary School Receiving their Platinum 1 Award at the WESSA Schools Awards Ceremony Gauteng.

Moduopo Primary School Eco-Committee.