“What we collect becomes useful again”, Rui Faduco, in an interview with MozaVibe.
Photo: Rui Faduco
The Youth Association for Community Development (AJUPADEC) was founded in October 2022, in the province of Inhambane, as a direct response to the devastation caused by the cyclones that hit the region that year.
The succession of natural disasters exposed the vulnerability of the local population and awakened a group of young people to the urgent need for action. They then came together to find local solutions, promote sustainable development, and strengthen community resilience in the face of the effects of climate change.
In an interview with MozaVibe magazine, AJUPADEC president Rui Faduco stated that tackling environmental challenges requires everyone's involvement. "The solution to environmental problems must be collective," he argued.
For him, social mobilization is essential, as the impacts are shared and responses must include those on the front lines. This vision of inclusion was also one of the motivations for creating the association.
"We realized that we couldn't just wait for the government; we had to act."
Faduco criticizes the lack of community participation in decisions that impact their territories.
"Often, projects or ventures are decided behind closed doors, without consulting young people or the local population," he says.
He argues that citizen participation is not a favor, but a fundamental right and a decisive factor in the success of any initiative.
"We want people to feel part of the process, to have a voice and to be able to influence the direction of the place where they live," he explains.
AJUPADEC's work has been marked by a variety of projects focused on environmental education and sustainability. The organization promotes lectures, workshops, and cleanup campaigns on beaches, seas, and mangroves, where waste such as glass, paper, plastic, and iron is collected. Much of this material is recycled, reused, or transformed into art, as part of an approach based on the circular economy.
"What we collect is useful again. We are showing that waste can gain new value," explains Faduco.
Among the ongoing initiatives, the Ecocivism project, aimed at elementary school children, stands out. The goal is to shape a new generation more environmentally conscious.
Photo: Rui Faduco
"We want children to grow up understanding the value of leadership, volunteering, and citizenship. They want them to know, from an early age, the importance of caring for the planet," he states.
Community involvement in the association's activities has been growing.
"The experience has been very positive. Society is more aware of the need to act, to do something so that these extreme events no longer affect our lives so much," he adds.
Looking forward, AJUPADEC intends to expand its reach and strengthen the fight for climate justice, always focusing on community participation. "If an event affects everyone, the response must also be shared by everyone," concludes Rui Faduco. "Decisions cannot continue to be made in closed spaces. Those who suffer the consequences need to have a voice in the solutions."
