Children learn more about recycling

The Bel Ombre community centre was bustling with dozens of excited children who were taking  part in recycling activities on Friday last week.

The re-use and re-cycle materials day was organised by the newly formed NGO Survival Ark Foundation to entertain and educate children between the ages of 5 and 12, during their holidays.

The kids threw themselves enthusiastically into making gift boxes and cell-phone stands from cardboard as well as other useful items from Pet bottles and newspapers.

Mia Dunford, board member of S4S, was invited as a facilitator. She gave a lecture on why we should not throw litter around and also made her young audience aware of other forms of pollution, besides plastic bags and bottles.

She pointed out that loud noise (from loud music and barking dogs) was also illegal and people could be fined.

The children listened intently and were very aware that plastic bags killed fish, dolphins and turtles in the sea.

The project manager, Theresia Julie, did her best to instill some discipline in this lively crowd as they all jostled for attention shouting “Teacher, help me to cut this”… “Show me how to do this” … “I need more glue” …  “I need more paper”… etc…

At noon, she managed to get them to queue in a row and say a prayer before settling down to a tasty Creole lunch.

Judging from the number of smiling faces, this activity was a great success.

This event was sponsored by the department of social affairs as well as funds from CSR.