Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
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Distance is not a barrier! - School's Workshop Day 1 |
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One of the things I have come to love about my months as an Ambassador is that it has made me to explore certain qualities I did not know I had and it has moved me away from my comfort zone. I have made some sacrifices in carrying out my duties: from finding the time to financing events. But I am proud to have made such sacrifices as I am beginnings to see the results and people shifting their mind-sets on how they view their environment. So last week (even though I had an upsetting head and stomach), myself and some die hard environmental lovers went out of our comfort zone and raised awareness on an environmental issue. Instead of going to just any other school in our town, we planned a trip to a remote village outside town. This is because of the very fact that remote areas are the most affected by climate change than urban areas (like in Bulawayo where I stay). So there is a need to make sure that such marginalized communities get the environmental education that they too need. And distance was not to be a hindrance to this quest.
Ntabazinduna is a small village in Umguza district south east of Zimbabwe. About 50 kilometers away from Bulawayo. Its one of the regions that is mostly affected by veld fires and random cutting down of trees (deforestation). These deliberate problems suffered by the environment of this village are due to the lack of knowledge. To them some of these acts are part of their culture e.g cutting down trees for firewood. Hence our initiative to bring the education needed to take care of the environment, was to go back to this community and what better way to do it than through school children who are the future leaders of our society. The first school we went to was Nhlambabaloyi primary school which has up to 700 students between the ages of 6 and 13. Accompanying me was Miss Environment 2014 1st runner up/Miss Climate 2014 of Zimbabwe, Sibusisiwe Falala and Trust. Since prior to the day, we came and made an assessment of what environmental challenges the school and the community were facing, we knew exactly what issues to talk about in our workshop with the students. Because it was exam time, we had to wait for the senior students to finish their exams. After gathering them up (grade six and seven students) our environmental talk was ready to begin. Our talk lasted for about two hours, and our education ranged from the basic definition of environment to tackling the environmental problems they faced in their marginalized community. After the lesson we had an environmental activity, in and outside the school. We divided into two groups (boys and girls) and within two hours we picked litter and filled fire guards. There we also managed to launch an environmental club that will address all environmental issues affecting the area.
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9 Comments
I really like your report for going to remote village and spreading the environment awareness, because I think to change the paradigm of society about environment, the easiest thing to be done is education. Educating young students is easier than adults. Keep doin dude :) Thank you.
Posted 12-12-2014 06:24
Excellent job lesedi. You are doing a job tougher than mine. Your idea to hit the remote areas coming out of your comfort zone was majestic. Keep doing it. Proud of you.
Posted 12-12-2014 01:55
First of all : well done dear Ambassador for such great event you did and it is really inspiring.
Secondly : the efforts and hard working you did to fill-full your duties are appreciated and you will get the benefits of that soon or later in your personal life and in your community and people around you.
Keep it up (y)
Posted 11-12-2014 23:42
Admirable Job Lesedi. Going to the Ntabazinduna village & imparting environmental education & also launching a club is a green & noble idea.
I believe that Zimbabwe needs more of volunteers like you & Miss Sibusisiwe Falala.
All the best.
Posted 11-12-2014 12:27
Well done Lesedi! targeting the grassroot level is paramount and benefiting for the environment. Our reach should be inclusive of all if we are to have a foothold in our awareness campaign and see tangible results.
Posted 11-12-2014 01:44
Praise worthy job Lesedi. Teaching, doing and creating. Kinda thing we need to do in our areas as well. Glad to know you left you comfort zone and went to those places where our attention rarely reach.
And like Rohan have said, be in touch with them and further encourage so that other also starts following the same suits
Posted 10-12-2014 22:25
It is pleasing to know that you went all the way to a remote village to initaite eco-education, Lesedi. Spreading awareness especially in rural areas and especially among children about environmental effects can be beneficial for the future of the international community.
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future”-FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
Posted 10-12-2014 19:56
Good job Lesedi. At times , it makes us lazy to leave our comfort zones but if we have to unleash our potential and reach beyond mark and achieve something , we have to leave our comfort zone and stretch ourselves. I am glad you were able to do that. Happy for you.
I liked that you chose to go to remote school , yes remote areas are the ones which are most affected but least informed or educated. You hit the right chord -it seems. Enviro-talk for 2 hours must have been really useful to kids there. Environment Club is indeed a very good initiative . Through this one event , I can see that you made a big impact. Keep it up ! Thanks for sharing & inspiring.
Posted 10-12-2014 13:45
Well done Lesedi! I like your enthusiasm & dedication. Launching an environmental club is a good idea. Be in touch with them & keep a track of their green actions in the future.
The pics are vividly describing your exciting educational initiative.
Posted 10-12-2014 12:48