On, 29th July 2016 I along with my friend Mahendra Singh adhikari organized another Environmental Awareness workshop and Leadership Programme for government school students based on Green lifestyle which was attended by 58 students.

As many of you were wanted to know more about the nature of workshop, activities, questions of children, my experience etc. So through this report I will try to explain everything in detail. 

First of all I started with the basic question- What is Environment? and they replied- OUR SURROUNDING. No wonder, I got the same answer for 28^th time and when I asked them to elaborate more there was pin drop silence among the students. The reason behind their same answer is that they have one book of Environmental Education in their course- OUR SURROUNDING. It was really sad to know that in spite of having environmental education book in their course they are unable to explain the simple term- Environment. After that I asked some more questions- What is Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Global Warming etc.

Then we started the main part of the workshop- Green Lifestyle. I asked everyone to share their daily lifestyle. Then I explained them with some serious of questions as given below-

After waking up in the morning we brush our teeth, wash our face and bath? Which method do you use and why? 

How do you come to the school? Walking, cycle, motorbike, car, bus, train? What method would you prefer Public Transport or Private? And Why?

Do you save energy by switching off the lights/fan when not in use? Why we need to save energy?

Do you carry a water bottle with you or you use the hand pumps directly? We have water everywhere on the earth then why we need to save the water? Packaged drinking water vs natural mineral water?

Why we shouldn?t waste food? How food wastage is connected with the environment?(I linked  this topic with the mid-day-meal so they can understand better).

Which fuel is good for cooking and for the environment? Why? Comparison between wood fuel, biogas, LPG, Solar. 

Some other questions like-

Why we shouldn?t waste papers? Why we should plant trees? Comparison between CFL, LED and Incandescent bulbs. Why we shouldn?t use plastic? Etc.

Leadership Programme-

I personally experienced that many students know the right answers but they hesitate because of their lack of confidence. So through this programme I am trying to build up and boost their confidence by different activities so they can represent themselves better in future and be an environmental leader.

Quiz Part-

After the leadership programme I also organized a quiz contest to check their knowledge on various topics by giving them various questions based on different situations and topics. I also rewarded them by giving pens and chocolates.

At the end of workshop I asked them about the Role of children in society and environmental conservation and what they can do to save our Environment.

After that I also promoted our Tunza Eco Generation platform among the students and gave them TEG leaflets,pens, post-its, B.card and other stationery.

Why Government Schools-

As many people asked me why I organize workshops on government schools only? My reason and motivation is very clear I want to help the needy people. Government schools in India don?t have high class facilities, resources and other things like private schools. So I have decided to cover all the government schools in and around the city.

My personal Experience-

I have organized many workshops, visited many schools, educated all kind of students and I can say that the situation of government schools students isn?t good at all. It is really sad to see that many of them don't know the basic defination and meaning of Environment. They don?t know the simple environmental effects behind any action. For example- When I ask them why we should save energy and why we shouldn?t use packaged bottle water they all answered- It will save our money. But they had no idea about the environmental effects behind it. We all are responsible for it especially Parents and Teachers- Usually all parent teach their children the importance and value of the MONEY but very few of them teach their kids the value and importance of Environment. Environmental values should be taught since the childhood and it is the easiest way to save our mother earth

I am trying my best to help these schools and students. I have founded eco clubs in every school and I am also contacting many local and national level organizations to help these schools with the resources and funds. I personally believe that Youth and children have the power to change the world. They can do anything whatever they want if they wish to do. So let?s use our power and also help others to use their power by helping and guiding them. Nobody is perfect and born with innate environmental values. It?s Never Too Late. Let?s start the chain of environmental education and organize workshops and other programs to educate children in your country. I can guarantee that you will love it. 

Yes, Together We Can Change The World.