THE Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) yesterday launched its Most Improved School Yard Competition with a tree planting exercise at Veed-en-Hoop Primary School, West Bank Demerara. The objectives of this event are: –

(a) To raise environmental awareness among 300 children, in 20 schools
(b) To improve the physical conditions in 20 schools, and
(c) To reduce litter by 30 % in 20 schools within 6 weeks

A member of officials, including Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber, Assistant Chief Education Officer,
Marcel Hutson and PAHO/WHO Representative Adrianus Vlugman attended the launching.

In brief remarks, Faerber noted the importance of the event and encouraged the children to treat their surroundings with respect. He said that Region 3 welcomes the initiative by ECHO, and urged all school to get involved.

Mr. Hutson, in his remarks, underscored the need to inculcate good environmental practices among our children. He stressed that we need to raise the level of environmental awareness not only in schools, but also in local communities.

And Vlugman, in his comments, said that children are the future and they must be encouraged to pay careful attention to environmental and public health. He posited that they should be more involved in sports and they should eat healthy.

Royston King, Executive Director of ECHO, said that over the years, the Ministry of Education, the Regional Democratic Council and PAHO/WHO have been supportive of the efforts of ECHO. This has influenced the net-working of the organisation among schools, not only in Region 3, but also throughout Guyana. He said that the reason for the tree-planting exercise was environmental as well as nutritional, and that all schools should be part of caring for the environment.

He noted that the mission of Echo is to increase the eco-consciousness and social responsibility of members, 35 children, by providing them access to the natural world, state of the art social media, innovative educational programmes and resources. Through diverse collaborative partnerships, ECHO will develop the next generation of leaders who will have the knowledge, passion and skills to promote and work toward environmental sustainability.

Also, the vision of the organisation is to be the largest and most widespread and comprehensive organisation for youth environmental education, connecting the community with youth, offering expansive programmes, and providing resources for schools nationwide.

Under ECHO children will benefit by:

a) Expanding their eco-consciousness;
b) Learning about green technology;
c) Meeting and collaborating with other school clubs from varying socio-economic backgrounds
and cultures;
d) Developing leadership skills;
e) Finding their voice;
f) Stretching their expectations of self;
g) Positively impacting their peers, families, schools, communities and planet;
h) Creating and building upon a vision of a sustainable future;
i) Providing opportunities to engage politicians, leaders, peers and educators;

j) Participating in a grassroots movement to sustain the planet; and
k) Participating in field trips.
Studies indicate that people protect what they know and what they love. ECHO will educate children in environmental sustainability and give them access to the natural world around them to create a lasting connection with the health of the planet.

At the exercise yesterday, Echo- club members recited poems and sang songs about the importance of the environment.