21^st June, 2013, Friday,

?We are ready to minimize plastic bags from our side are you?? the team of Hataymalo project questioned students and management of Nexus School- Gothatar, Kathmandu in the beginning of the program, but only few hands were raised. The program was organized by The Nature Conservancy Nepal (TNCN), Kathmandu University (KU), in association with South Asian Youth Environmental Network (SAYEN), and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and supported by TUNZA Eco Generation.

The program started with the introduction of the students, volunteers, and organizing team. Along with their name they were asked to choose a plastic product which will be their calling name during the program. Students? eagerness about the program was raised through the introduction portion. It gave the program a colossal start. It was followed by an interactive and entertaining presentation session in which information on negative effects of plastics was shared. Moreover, students became clear about the effects of plastics on human health and how it affects our body like endocrine glands causing obesity, heart disease, male genital abnormalities, cancer, autism and more.

It was a matter of joy to know that the students knew about polythene bags being banned by Government of Nepal from 15 June, 2013.

During discussion about the presentation, student asked a lot of questions about the measure to minimize the use and effect of plastic. One of the students asked, ?Why are you using the plastic spectacles when you yourself are discouraging use of plastics?? This query was answered tact fully by the volunteer, saying we cannot completely avoid plastic but we can best use unless we have another relevant option.

Later, group session started by dividing the students in five groups of which one group included only 4 students who were good at drawing. This group was formed to make a picture in an effort to make Nexus plastic bags free zone.

All the groups were very participative. The students were enthusiastic to do the group work and the presentation. This part of the program was paramount of all, with students in an attempt to bring change in themselves and their school. Presentation of the entire four groups was excellent with their different concept to minimize the polyethene/plastic bags as an individual, family, school and society. The art done by all the groups were tremendous. Among them the drawing of group one was awesome, which was about plastic free Nexus School. The last group made a drawing which give message to whole school about Nexus being an eco friendly school without plastic bags. The students were highly committed to make Nexus Plastic bags free zone.

After accomplishing the !==!--object--==ive of the program, i.e. to aware the children about minimization of plastic bags and promotion of green bags, Miss Arati Rana, SAYEN Sub Regional Youth Advisor handed over token of love to Mrs. Meera Dhungana (faculty-Nepali) and formally concluded by a vote of thanks to the entire school management and students, for their support throughout the program and with a message, " Plastic Bags, Just say NO ".The program ended after the group photo-session.

At the end the same question was raised by the Hataymalo team, ?We are ready to minimize plastic bags from our side are you?? This time each student applauded and agreed to declare Nexus School a poly bag free zone.

The overall program was fruitful. The commitment of the students and teachers to make Nexus plastic bag free zone was the utmost achievement of all. In addition, we saw the change in attitude of the students throughout the program. The volunteers seemed contend and delighted with the response they got from the huge family of Nexus International School. If not more, we are sure that those students would be responsible citizens who care for the environment and reduce use of poly bags as we do.