LAST Friday, Mach 1, 2013, the Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) launched 25 Echo Clubs in Region 5, West Coast Berbice. The objectives of the clubs are: to raise awareness on environmental issues; to provide ‘Green Education’ for children and young adults; to organise children in structured groups to take leadership on environmental issues; and to improve the aesthetics of school yards, and local communities.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Adrianus Vlugman, PAHO/WHO’s representative,

encouraged the children to be environmentally alert and to care for the natural environment. He said that PAHO/WHO was supporting the efforts of ECHO and that he would do everything practicable to advance the clubs in schools. He commented on the smoke nuisance he observed in the area and encouraged the children to think about recycling and composting. He said that they should keep their surroundings clean and tidy at all times.

Mr. Royston King, Executive Director of ECHO, said the vision was to establish a network of ECHO clubs throughout Guyana to facilitate environmental awareness and action by all. He said that the clubs were not sanitation clubs. He said they were about awareness and environmental wholeness. King  said that ECHO works in three areas: solid waste management, water and climate change. Mr. King said  the utility of the clubs was not only in environmental awareness but also in developing leadership skills in our children. He encouraged them to read and be properly informed about all that is taking place in the environment.
He charged the newly formed groups to be good leaders in their schools and to be excellent in their attitude towards the environment. He said ECHO speaks for the environment.
The schools involved included:
– Ithaca, Blairmont, Cotton Tree, No.5, No.8, Bath, Hopetown, Zealand, Mortice, Biaboo, No.29, District No.10, Karamat, De Hoop, Abary  and Novar.
The event was attended by more than 150 children beside teachers and volunteers.
The event was supported by the Ministry of Education,The Ministry  of Natural Resources and the Environment, Farfan and Mendes,The Guyana Media Proprietors Association, Bounty Farms and Ali‘s Supermarket, Bourda Market.
ECHO will launch another 15 Echo-clubs in Region 7, Bartica shortly.
The organisation is encouraging corporations and other organisations to become involved in good environmental stewardship and to support its plan aimed at protecting and preserving the natural environment.