We are delighted to share a blog written by Dave Shejo George, a student at Global Indian International School, East Coast, Singapore who is part of a team delivering a Global Goals project for the 2018-19 Global Goals Competition.
Their project ‘Green Warriors of GIIS EC Campus Singapore’ is among over 620 social action projects currently running as part of the GSL movement and we are excited to be supporting them to design and lead positive social change in their community.
I would like my school to be the resource point for small scale herbal gardens in high raise buildings and urban living.
A very fruitful journey so far. Still learning!!
Project Summary
Singapore is a very small island nation, located one degree north of the equator, a place of efficient infrastructure, many sky scrapers and blessed with tropical weather. Singapore does not have any large farms, plantations or orchards. Thanks to the government which is trying its very best to develop, maintain and grow its green cover. GIIS EC Campus is a tropical haven, spread over 8.8 acres with more than 200 trees.
As a result of rapid urbanization, students have very little first-hand information about nature and life around us, expect for what they read in their text books. To bring change to our way of life and to have a positive impact to our environment, it is important and inevitable to involve students. As some one has rightly said “Teach me and I will forget. Show me and I may forget. Involve me and I will understand”
Till I joined GIIS EC campus, I went to a school in the Middle East, which had a few date palms, most of the activities were indoors due to extreme heat, cold and dust storms. Combined with my parent’s passion to go back to their agrarian roots, GIIS EC Campus gives me enough opportunity to try my role as a Green Warrior of GIIS EC Campus.
It has been a very exciting journey being part of Green Warrior of my Campus. We have a very small herbal garden at home. I was also able to germinate fruit seeds and replant them in the herbal garden of my campus. I am also trying to improve my knowledge on organic farming, compost making, efficient recycling techniques, natural ingredients to fight pests.
As part of this project, Green Warrior teams have designed posters on Recycling, set up recycling boxes, developed a herbal garden, vertical garden using used milk cans, fashion from trash, recycling of tetra packs and electronic waste, drip irrigation. Students are encouraged to plant a tree/sapling on their birthday and to participate on numerous platforms related to environmental issues. Energy monitors are assigned for each class to monitor and control use of energy.
Green living is truly a way of life here at GIIS, not just a part of the curriculum
Our Journey
Being part of Green Warrior has helped me to improve my personality. This initiative helped me to be more patient, improve my communication, presentation and research skills. I am learning to be a better team player, better listener. It is now OK for me to get my hands dirty.
The biggest challenge would be to convince my peers in adopting green initiatives, getting them to understand the importance of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle.
The Next Chapter
Every school should adopt similar projects as it helps students to have first-hand information and practical knowledge of what they read in their text books. Such projects help students understand the importance of conservation and recycling, the impact of pollution and get them involved early in finding innovative solutions for various problems.
I would like my school to develop the existing herbal garden and to extend the cultivable space in the campus to grow more vegetables, greens and fruits, using organic and sustainable methods. And for my campus to be the resource point for small scale herbal gardens in high raise buildings and urban living.
My aim is to recommend to my school management to take up rain water harvesting to be used for irrigation as the next step.
I would aim for my school and this project to be an ambassador to all the students and the neighborhood.
The 2018-19 GSL Global Goals Competition is now open and runs until June 2019. If you belong to one of the 700+ teams of students currently delivering a social action project as part of the competition we would love to hear from you and feature your blog and project photos on our website to inspire others.
