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Creating awareness about cleanliness

Isha Vidhya schools create awareness about cleanliness
not only among its students, who are from underprivileged
rural background, but, also make an impact on the
communities they serve in, around the schools.

We feel that it's pretty important to inculcate the importance
of cleanliness and hygiene in the minds of the students, so that,
they can carry this message wherever they go in the world,
and live in whichever circumstances that they are put in.

Tuticorin Isha Vidhya school's cleanliness initiative

One such cleanliness campaign was initiated by Tuticorin Isha
Vidhya school recently.  The students enthusiastically asked
about and decided to participate in a drive to clean the public
areas around the areas.  The students of the 8th and 9th grades
of the school, along with the class teachers participated in this
drive.  They were provided with gloves and masks to protect them
from dust and infections.

The Village Panchayat (administration) pitched in, by joining the
school in this drive, and collecting the bags containing the
garbage that was collected by the students.  Plastic waste, carry
bags, etc, which were collected by the students, were put in a large
bag, and removed by the village Panchayat for proper disposal.

Stagnant water in some areas were shown to the students, and they
were made aware of the dangers of such stagnant water, especially
during the rainy season, which becomes a breeding ground for
mosquitoes, which spread diseases like viral fever, dengue, malaria,
etc.

Active participation of the local public

The villagers, noticing the students cleaning the public area, also
engaged with them to participate in the awareness building aspect
of the drive. Without complete involvement of the general public,
the cleanliness drive could not have succeeded.

Sathya from 9th grade shares:

"I feel happy to share my participation in cleanliness campaign.
One day, we cleaned our school surroundings for about 100m. 
I and my friends were very happy to do that work. We didn’t feel
bored as we were enjoying it.  Our Principal gave us some
instruction for our safety. We felt very happy when we saw the place
that we cleaned. From that moment on wards we pledged to keep
our surroundings clean. We should be clean and make our
surroundings clean. We have to create awareness programme
among people. If we keep our surroundings clean we can maintain
good health."

Suresh from 8th grade shares:

"I would like to share my feeling about a rally on cleanliness
campaign. There were a lot of plastic covers and non-bio degradable
wastes which will not allow the rain water to reach the ground. If we
leave it as it is, it will cause many harmful disease. So my principal
said to clean all those things far away. 

My friends and I did the job perfect fully with joy. By hearing my
principal’swords I did not use plastic covers yet. I did not allow my
parents as well as my friends to use plastics. I create awareness
among students to clean our surroundings."

So, it looks like the environmental education along with cleanliness
and hygiene awarenes has indeed sinked in to our Tuticorin school
students.  What do you think, patrons?  Please do let us know your
feedback!

For any suggestions, please email us at global.giving@ishavidhya.org

Thanks & Best Regards,

Links:

• Isha Vidhya @ Global Giving