The care of the environment: Eco-Friendly

“Cleanliness they Say is next to Godliness” But in as much as we (Africans) are known for our great sense of worship, it is not the same always with Cleanliness, especially in our surroundings. Many factors which cannot be discussed here and now, are responsible for this. The dirty environment fascinates anyone who is not used to such sight and visiting us for the first time. This situation always gives me some feelings of deep shame. But deep down in my heart, I have hope that this could change if we are ready to work towards it and to educate the young generation towards this objective. This is the reason why I felt the necessity of sharing this concern with the kids in school in my place of mission:  Complexe Scolaire Jésus-Marie, here in Libreville-Gabon.

I felt there was no better place than the school environment that this message could take roots and have a possible force to impact the human person. So I gathered a few kids so that we could discuss our concern for the environment especially our immediate environment which is our school compound. There came a school club called Eco-Friendly, with the intention of making us friends of the Ecological system. The ideal behind this, is to help us all become more aware of the need to take care of our environment, and to show Love to our surroundings.

The interesting part of it all is, even though it is very difficult making these kids put trashes in the waste bin, they know exactly what it means to be Friends of the Eco-System, our environment. During our first few meetings, they were able to share on how to keep our environment clean, and the need, importance and also the consequence of not doing it. They know that a neat environment means: orderliness and cleanliness, where one can live and sleep peacefully and comfortably. They know that clean environment enhances harmony and togetherness, good respiration, healthy vegetation, rains.

With a firm conviction of keeping their school surroundings clean, they decided to engage themselves into some practical actions by creating awareness among their peers, the need to work together in keeping the environment clean. They were ready to punish those who will violate these targeted goals.  They became like watch dogs among themselves, filing back reports and complaint against their fellow wards who were disrespecting their environment and set rules to protect it.  And to achieve their goals, they decided also to do a propaganda to the other kids, so that they will stop throwing waste on the ground but instead put them in the dustbins or waste paper baskets.

We are also on a project of planting followers round the school compound. They also decided to save some money from their money for snacks in order to invest and realize these projects.

This may appear as something very insignificant, but my profound impression and joy, is their enthusiasm about the whole thing. How interested the kids are about these projects, shows just how much more initiatives they could come up with and realized great things in life for the good of their society if they are encouraged, coordinated and guided. For this, I felt they were ready for action, so we started a teamwork by planting some Flowers and some fruits.

We also had an activity in conjunction with our Bicentenary celebration and our third priority, which was about a work around our school on the World’s environment day celebration held on the 05 /06/ 2018. We created awareness in our neighborhood through a walk. We had messages written on placards and at the same time some practical work of picking dirty on the street and putting them into trash bags. It was quite an achievement for the kids; they came back very tired but excited and joyful and feeling fulfilled!

A seed has been planted in these children, we have not achieved the desired goal of a very clean school environment but I believe they are more conscious about our collective need and desire for a better environment and in general the whole of the eco-system. Such actions affirms the conviction the little people doing little things in little ways can change the world for better!

Sr. Magdalene Ucho rjm

 Libreville community, Gabon

Delegation of Africa