On 7th June 2025, Children’s Home had the privilege of hosting a dynamic and educational youth-led program focused on environmental awareness and sustainability. This initiative was organized by 18 enthusiastic youth volunteers and two accompanying staff members from Amics del Nepal. The event was carefully designed to engage the children in interactive, fun, and thought-provoking activities that encouraged them to think deeply about their role in protecting the environment. The session combined a mix of presentations, practical exercises, and creative performances aimed at inspiring the children to adopt eco-friendly habits and develop a lifelong commitment to sustainability.
Welcoming the Children with Energy and Enthusiasm
The program began with an energizer activity that immediately created a warm and living atmosphere. The icebreaker allowed children and volunteers to connect naturally, easing initial nervousness and fostering a sense of community. The engaging start helped everyone feel comfortable and set an energetic tone for the learning activities ahead.
Introducing the Environment and Its Importance
The youth volunteers then led the children through a carefully crafted PowerPoint presentation that introduced the concept of the environment in simple and relatable terms. They explained that the environment consists of all living and non-living things occurring naturally in Earth-such as tress, animals, air, water, and even human-made elements like houses. This foundational understanding helped the children recognize that they are part of a larger, interconnected system where every element plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and life.
Discussing Key Environmental Issues Facing Our Planet
Building on this introduction, the presentation addressed several pressing environmental challenges facing the world today. The children learned about the causes and effects of climate change, highlighting the role of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The session also covered various types of pollution – air, water, soil, and especially plastic pollution-that threaten ecosystems and human health. The volunteers explained the consequences of deforestation and the alarming loss of biodiversity, stressing the urgency to protect wildlife and forests. Waste management issues and the overexploitation of natural resources, including water, fossil fuels, and minerals, were also discussed in a manner that was easy to grasp. Throughout the presentation, the youth volunteers encouraged the children to think about how these problems affect their own communities and daily lives.
Actions to Promote Greener Environment
In addition to understanding the issues, the children were empowered with practical actions they can take to contribute to a greener future. The youth volunteers shared simple yet impactful ways to support environmental health, such as using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power, conserving water and energy, and supporting green infrastructure and eco-friendly transportation options. Emphasis was placed on the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycles waste.
Understanding Waste and Dustbins
An important educational component of the session focused on the correct use of dustbins for waste segregation. The children learned the meaning and purpose of each bin:
- Green Bin: for biodegradable waste (e.g., food scraps, garden waste)
- Blue Bin: for dry and non-biodegradable waste (e.g., plastics, paper, metals)
- Red Bin: for non-biodegradable waste, especially hazardous or sanitary waste
This knowledge was key in helping children understand how to manage household waste responsibly. They were taught how proper segregation reduces pollution, improves recycling, and protects the environment.
Hands-On Learning through a Practical Exercise
Immediately following the presentation, the children participated in a practical waste segregation exercise. Each child received a paper slip with the name of a waste item and was asked to determine which type of dustbin the item belonged to. The exercise focused on the green, blue, and red bins as introduced in the previous segment. This hands-on activity reinforced the children’s understanding of proper waste segregation, a vital step towards effective waste management and environmental protection. Volunteers guided the children through the task.
Engaging Environmental Drama Performance
To creatively reinforce the session’s messages, the youth volunteers performed a drama that brought environmental issue to life through storytelling and relatable characters. The drama portrayed the impact of pollution and irresponsible habits on the planet and offered hopeful solutions through individual and collective action. The performance captivated the children, making the lessons memorable and encouraging emotional connection to the cause.
The success of this program was made possible by the dedication and passion of the youth volunteers from Amics del Nepal. Their thoughtful planning, creative delivery, and genuine care for the community ensured that the event was not only educational but also uplifting and memorable. Their leadership and commitment highlight the important role that young people can play in fostering sustainable development and social change. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their outstanding contribution to the Children’s Home community and environmental education.
