Latest update December 29th, 2024 3:09 AM
Latest News
- Mismanagement of electricity sector to cost Guyana US$ 373.6M – Patterson
- Israel detains director of key north Gaza hospital as WHO condemns raids
- Motorcyclist killed in crash with speeding car
- Man stabbed to death during fight at Liliendaal
- No more blackout as GPL has adequate power supply – Jagdeo
ECHO launches Vreed en Hoop “Most Improved school competition”
The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) launched its Most Improved School Yard Competition with a Tree Planting Exercise, at Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, West Bank Demerara last Wednesday in its continued quest to reduce 30 percent litter in 20 schools within six weeks.
Aiming to also raise environmental awareness in children and to improve the physical condition in 20 schools within the same time period, Region Three Chairman Mr. Julius Faerber, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Marcel Huston and PAHO/WHO representative Mr. Adrianus Vlugman attended the launch in support of the initiative.
Some of participants in the school competition.
In brief remarks, Mr. Faerber noted the importance of the event and encouraged students to treat their surroundings with respect. He said Region 3 welcomes the initiative by ECHO and urged all schools to get involved.
Mr. Huston, in his remarks, underscored the need to inculcate good environmental practices among children. He stressed that there is need to raise the level of awareness not only in schools but also in communities.
Meanwhile, Vlugman noted that, “our children are the future and that we need to encourage them to pay careful attention to environmental and public health.” He posited that they should be more involved in sports and healthy eating.
Royston King, Executive Director of ECHO related that, “over the years, the Ministry of Education, the Regional Democratic Council and PAHO/WHO have always been supportive of the efforts of ECHO. This has influenced the networking of the organization among schools not only in that Region but also throughout Guyana.” He added that the utility of the tree planting exercise was environmental as well as nutritional and that all schools should be part of caring for the environment.
He noted that the mission of ECHO is to increase the eco-consciousness and social responsibility of members by providing them access to the natural world, state of the art social media, innovative educational programs and resources. Through diverse collaborative partnerships, “ECHO will develop the next generation of leaders who will have the knowledge, passion and skills to promote and work toward environmental sustainability.”
Also, the vision of the organization is to be the largest and most widespread and comprehensive organization for youth environmental education, connecting the community with youth, offering expansive programs, and providing resources for schools nation-wide, King charged.
The youngsters are expected to benefit by expanding their eco-consciousness; learning about green technology; meeting and collaborating with other school clubs from varying socio-economic backgrounds and cultures among many other advantages.
Educators are also exposed to a wide network of volunteers to aid in projects, providing classroom lectures, hands-on teaching assistance, and guide field trips as well as nearby nature walks. They also benefit from among other things; guiding fieldtrips; training; creating and customizing an ECHO hosted classroom environmental club to securely post.
Studies indicate that people protect what they know and what they love. ECHO will educate children in environmental sustainability and give them access to the natural world around them to create a lasting connection with the health of the planet, King pointed out. Echo- club members also recite poems and songs about the importance of the environment.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Jagdeo is skirting the issue
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The greatest challenge facing Guyana is not about exploiting its immense wealth, but in... more
Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The year 2024 has underscored a grim reality: poverty continues to be an unyielding... more
Weekend Cartoon
