After winning Deba Klima, three young students discovered how a small island is turning climate challenges into practical solutions.
For four days, three young Mauritians experienced climate action beyond the classroom and research. After spending nearly two months debating climate change, the winners from Collège de la Confiance travelled to Rodrigues, where they witnessed first-hand how a small island is preserving its natural resources and building resilience every day.
More than just a trip
Winners of the fourth edition, Timothée Babajane, Gauthier Charlot and Samuel Dhookit travelled to Rodrigues on 21 July, accompanied by their teacher, Michat Legrand-Raout, and representatives from MCB. From biodiversity conservation and water management to sustainable agriculture and cultural heritage, the trip gave them the opportunity to discover how an island community addresses the challenges of climate change in its daily life. More than a reward, this eco-trip allowed them to connect real people, stories and practical examples to concepts they had previously encountered only in the classroom or through public debates.
When biodiversity comes back to life
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the François Leguat Reserve, where the students encountered Rodrigues’ famous giant tortoises and explored the spectacular limestone formations of the Grande Caverne. The experience helped them better understand the long-term efforts undertaken to restore degraded ecosystems and reintroduce some of the island’s most iconic species. Throughout the visit, they realised that successful conservation is achieved not within months, but through decades of patience, research and commitment.
A new perspective on water
At the Central Electricity Board (CEB) facilities in Pointe-Meunier, the students visited the island’s seawater desalination plant, which supplies water for a variety of needs. The visit highlighted an important reality: on an island where periods of drought can have a direct impact on communities, every drop of water matters. They also discovered the technological innovations being implemented to ensure sustainable access to this vital resource.
Bees as symbols of resilience
The group then visited Miel Victoria, a local enterprise managing around 75 beehives. Beyond honey production and related products, the visit demonstrated the essential role bees play in pollination, biodiversity and agriculture. Students also learned how local businesses can generate economic value while protecting natural resources.
Following in the footsteps of Brother Rémi
At the Frère Rémi Agricultural Centre, the visit took on a particularly symbolic meaning. The winners from Collège de la Confiance discovered the work carried out with around twenty young people aged between 15 and 18, who develop agricultural skills while strengthening their academic knowledge and independence. They also learned more about Brother Rémi, an influential figure at their own school who introduced agricultural sciences to Collège de la Confiance. The experience highlighted the impact of education, knowledge sharing and sustainable agriculture on community development.
Rebuilding a forest, one tree at a time
At the Grande Montagne Nature Reserve, the students explored one of Rodrigues’ most ambitious conservation projects. Guided through the reserve, they observed the long-term rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring a forest composed entirely of endemic plant species. The project seeks to protect indigenous flora while preserving a vital habitat for the island’s wildlife.
Discovering the soul of Rodrigues
Beyond its environmental focus, the trip also immersed the students in Rodrigues’ culture and identity. A visit to the Rodrigues Museum offered valuable insights into the island’s history, traditions and heritage. Their final evening at Foulsafat, hosted by the Jolicoeur family, became one of the most memorable moments of the trip. Through traditional meals, Sega Tambour, Kordeon and Polka performances, the students experienced another side of Rodrigues—a community deeply connected to its roots and way of life.
An experience that changes perspectives
The students left Rodrigues with a far more practical understanding of climate challenges and locally developed solutions.
Samuel Dhookit said:
“Rodrigues really gives the impression that its people live in greater harmony with nature while being highly aware of the value of their natural resources.”
Timothée Babajane added:
“It is important for young people to discover places beyond the shores of Mauritius, learn from different cultures and see how they are responding to climate change.”
Michat Legrand-Raout, the accompanying teacher, explained:
“This eco-trip has been an enriching experience for these young people. They had the opportunity to discover the Rodriguan way of life and experience it themselves over these few days. For example, avoiding plastic, using water responsibly, and eating locally grown produce from the guesthouse garden at Résidence Foulsafat. This journey allowed them not only to learn about these concepts on paper, but also to experience them first-hand. They now have a much deeper understanding of everything they researched during the competition.”
Vanessa De Speville, Group Head of Sustainability, Reputation & Engagement at MCB, said:
“Rodrigues was the natural choice for this eco-trip. The island is an inspiring example of the balance between environmental conservation, the promotion of natural heritage and community engagement. By offering the winners of Deba Klima an eco-discovery experience in Rodrigues, we wanted them to see first-hand how sustainable practices can protect natural resources while supporting local development. This immersive experience reinforces the central message of Deba Klima: every action matters when building a more resilient future.”
Over several months, the Deba Klima winners debated solutions to climate change. In Rodrigues, they met people who are already putting those solutions into practice every day. Beyond the landscapes, visits and discoveries, they returned home with a stronger conviction: while climate challenges may seem overwhelming, the solutions often emerge at the level of a community, a school, a family or a local territory. Sometimes, a lived experience is all it takes to transform knowledge into lasting commitment.
Deba Klima in numbers
- 54 secondary schools across Mauritius registered for Season 4 of Deba Klima.
- 16 schools were selected to participate in the televised phase of the competition.
- Collège de la Confiance won the competition for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its strong commitment to climate-related issues.
