Intervida depends on environmental education to ensure that thousands of nicaraguan children are not affected by their surroundings
Madrid (17/04/2008). Children are one of the groups most vulnerable to the environmental elements and conditions which surround them, affecting their morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that five million children between 0 and 14 years old die each year due to diseases or illnesses caused by the environmental conditions in which they live and play. Children spend most of their day at school, even though the environment and conditions are not always favorable for their well-being, development and learning.
Last year, INTERVIDA conducted diagnostics in 38 Nicaraguan school -17 of them in the marginal urban area of Managua and 21 of them in the rural area of Jinotega- to determine the environmental conditions surroundings of the more than 12,000 boys and girls who attend these centers. Based on the results, this year the organization will center its efforts on elaborating an environmental education plan which aimed at raising awareness of the need to protect and care for the environment and the school setting.
As a result of the lack of sanitation and hygienic installations in many of the centers, due to a combination of economic factors and the services supplied by the authorities, one of the main problems detected in the schools is the quantity of garbage, filth and contamination which these centers generate. This garbage, comprised mainly by paper and plastic, is present in the classrooms as well as in the schoolyard and other installations.
Despite that some centers have garbage bins or receptacles to throw these- not always in the most appropriate places- the students are not in the habit of doing so. And it is not only the students who lack this habit; adults and neighbors of the areas also deposit garbage, at times even burning it, around the school perimeter. As such, it is important to work not only with the schools but also with the community members and neighborhoods to promote environmental education.
INTERVIDA’s environmental education plan will be established in 38 preschool and primary schools and is included within the “Education and School Environment Management” project. This project, which forms part of the “Friendly and Healthy Schools” initiative of the country’s Ministry of Education, will promote all types of activities to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining the cleanliness and healthiness of the school environment.
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Over the next few months, a plan will be outlined which will include initiatives to amplify the environmental content of the school curriculums, as well as the reflection of students and teacher on these aspects through crafts, drawing, painting, music, theater, the organization of events or festivals, the celebration of days related with the environment, extracurricular activities, cleanliness and sanitation days, and other proposals which may be suggested by the students and teachers. All this with the aim of provoking changes in attitudes and habits when it comes to caring for the environment.
The organization also plans to undertake awareness-raising campaigns, taking advantage of the communication media and local organizations which can offer support for festivals and celebrations to raise the conscientiousness of parents and other community members in the areas where the schools are located. The community, school and family are institutions which are closely tied in many aspects, which is why it is important to involve them and work together with them.
Additionally, INTERVIDA has selected 19 schools where it will be providing close follow-up of the initiative’s progress in order to be able to standardize the results and create a new strategy for environmental education to replace this in all the schools it supports in the country.
About INTERVIDA
FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA is a nonpartisan, nondenominational and independent development NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its objective is to contribute to sustainable human development towards improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged communities around the world. Currently, INTERVIDA is active in various countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, offering its support to nearly five million people.
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