Students from Bhata School in Ahmedabad hold up their drawings on the topic of the environment.
West Zone field organizer, Anjan, Youth Ambassador, Sakhawate and Environmental Coordinator, Katherine met with 200 middle school students at Bhata school in Ahmedabad for a conversation the importance of caring for the environment.
The students began by displaying drawings they had made on the topic of the environment. Plants, animals, air, water, and humanity were shown as interconnected through the students' colorful drawings.
Drawings from students at Bhata School in Ahmedabad, India.
Drawings from students at Bhata School in Ahmedabad, India.
Drawings from students at Bhata School in Ahmedabad, India.
Drawings from students at Bhata School in Ahmedabad, India.
Drawings from students at Bhata School in Ahmedabad, India.
We split into four groups, on the themes of Air, Water, Trees and Soil, and each group was appointed an ambassador who would be responsible for conveying the ideas of their group to the rest of the students. Each group was given five minutes to brainstorm a set of movements that represented the element they were assigned.
"Plastic harms the soul"
After each group presented, school teachers selected on student from each group to give a speech on the environment. We heard from two boys and two girls, primarily on the topics of air pollution and trees.
"I will take care of trees the same way I take car of my life and body"
Students give speeches to their peers and teachers on the topics of air pollution and the importance of planting trees.
Students from Bhata School give speeches to their peers and teachers on the topics of air pollution and the importance of planting trees.
Katherine concluded the workshop by encouraging students to look around and identify aspects of their environment that could be improved, gathering friends together and begin. Each student already has so many valuable ideas on how to address the environmental problems in the area, they just need the encouragement to begin.
Some of the students' ideas include:
- Clean up garbage around the home and ensure that it makes it to the municipal trashcans
- Stop using plastic
- Plant trees around your home and school
