Successful Academy in Bhimavaram, India!

The children were waiting eagerly outside the venue early on Saturday morning. All the students were excited to learn how to save their future. Altogether 80 children from 10 schools attended the Academy in Bhimavaram, Southern India.

The academy was made possible thanks to the commitment of Vishnu School, Bhimavarm. The event was free-of-charge for all the attending children, who were aged 8-14. The Academy was made possible by the team of local organizers. Special thanks go to the head teacher of the host school.  Not to be forgotten are the many helpers and supporters, without whom the implementation of the Academy, venue, technology, food, tree-planting event and much more would not have been possible. 

After a brief welcome and inaugration program, the full attention of the children turned to the presentation "Now we save children the world!". The presentation was given by the moderators Sudeep, Kushal and Sundar together. The presentation covered: sources of CO2, global warming, photosynthesis, the climate crisis, Plant-for-the-Planet and global justice. These topics were presented in a way suitable for children of the same age. In the subsequent question and answer session, the children had the opportunity to eliminate any ambiguities they may still have had. 

The children were divided into four small groups to learn about global distribution and justice in the World Game. The children distributed playing figures, candy and balloons on the world maps laid out on the floor as symbols of the world’s population, wealth and CO2 emissions respectively. The children didn’t need to be told twice to distribute the balloons and sweets among the playing figures. Eventually, the CO2 emissions and wealth were distributed fairly – everyone has equal rights. 

Children got an explanation on tips of Public Speaking. Afterthat, the children also presented a few slides, in front of the class. Presenters were also given feedback to improve next time. The children then broke for lunch and were able to relax a little and to discuss the topics covered so far with each other.  

Rested, and feeling energized, the children relocated to the schoolyard to plant their own trees! Before the planting commenced, the children listened intently to the advice of the teacher who coordinated the planting process. He explained how and when to plant trees, and also showed the children how to care for them to make sure they survive, and thereby absorb as much CO2 as possible. 

In total they planted 30 plants. With the assistance of the teachers and adults present the children placed the trees in pre-prepared holes..

Then the students had an interaction with moderators about how they can convience their friends, teachers, adults to support them, organizing the planting party and the techniques to report the media.

Afterthat, every school group made their action plan to implement at their school. The ideas and solutions are presented in a clear manner: "What we want to do at our school, who is responsible for which task and by when do we want to achieve our goals". Further, they presented their action plan to everyone presented in  the hall.

The Graduation was started by a beautiful song by two participants about saving mother nature. After a long, eventful, and enjoyable day, all 80 participants received their certificates, which recognized them as a Ambassadors for Climate Justice. An interesting day had come to an end. Apart from the experience and newly found knowledge, all new Ambassadors took with them a copy of Tree-by-Tree, and of course the Plant-for-the-Planet T-shirt they collected at the start of the day.

The team at Plant-for-the-Planet would like to thank all those involved for this wonderful Academy Day. Special thanks goes to the host School: Vishnu School. 

Check out this video about the academy!

Moderators:

Sudeep Ghimire
Kushal Ghimire
Sundar Ghimire

Comoderators:

Ramesh Sapkota
Hemanta Dhakal

Find the photos of the academy here.

Do you want to be part of an academy or organize one yourselve? Learn how to participate here.