KIDS ECO CLUBSINFANT JESUS CHURCH, JOGESHWARI-EAST

WHEN WAS ECO KIDS CLUBS STARTED FUNCTIONING AT YOUR CHURCH?

Ans: From October 2015

WHICH IS THE BASE FOR ECO KIDS CLUBS?

SCC is the base of ECO KIDS CLUBS. Every SCC unit of the parish was encouraged to start the KIDS ECO CLUBS.

WHO GUIDES/ANIMATES THESE GROUPS?

Each SCC Unit has appointed 1 or 2 animators to be in-charge, a guide of KIDS ECO CLUBS.

WHAT ABOUT ECO KIDS OFFICE BEARERS?

To train the future leaders, each ECO KIDS CLUB has appointed three senior kids (9th to 11th std) as office bearers - President, Secretary and Treasurer. SCC in-charge animators guide the KIDS CLUB office bearers to learn to take responsibility of the group.

HOW MANY SCC UNITS ARE THERE IN YOUR PARISH, AND HOW MANY SCCs SUCCEEDED IN STARTING THE

ECO KIDS CLUBS?We have 18 SCC units in our parish. Depending on the charism of the coordinator and response by the people, 10 SCCs could able to start the ECO KIDS CLUBS so far.

WHO CAN JOIN THE ECO KIDS CLUBS?

All kids from 5th to 11th std residing within the geographical area of that SCC can join the ECO KIDS CLUB.

CAN KIDS OF OTHER FAITHS JOIN ECO KIDS?

Of course. We encourage all kids irrespective of caste and creed to join the ECO KIDS CLUB. The problem of environment is a very secular issue. Hence, it is very important to involve all faith people in facing the challenges of environmental degradation.

HOW MANY MEMBERS EACH ECO KIDS GROUP CAN HAVE?

For the sake of effective functioning, the number of members in each ECO KIDS Group is restricted to 20 kids.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MORE KIDS WANT TO JOIN?

In a particular SCC if more kids want to join, that SCC is encouraged to start a second, third… group and so on.

WHAT ABOUT FUNDS FOR EXPENSES FOR RUNNING THE ECO KIDS GROUPS?

A commitment fee of Rs 10/- per month is charged for each kid. If paid for the full yearin advance, 2 months discount is given.

IS THE PARISH CONTRIBUTES FOR THE ECO KIDS MOVEMENT FINANCIALLY?

Yes, for each kid Rs 20/- per month (double the member’s share) is contributed by the parish. This means, the group has a budget of Rs 30/- per kid each month.

HOW THIS MONEY Rs 30/- PER ECO KID IS SPENT?

This amount is used for refreshments during meeting or other ECO KIDS projects , prizes for various contests, stationary and other miscellaneous expenses.

IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY PARISH INVESTS ON ECO KIDS?

Yes, whenever there are major programmes like ANNUAL ENVIRONMENT RALLY, CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR PARTY, TRAINING SESSIONS etc parish invests a good amount on ECO KIDS movement.

HAS ECO KIDSCLUBS HAVE TO GIVE ANY ACCOUNTS TO THE CHURCH?

Yes, there is an accounts statement section in the monthly feedback, (see later). Each month, the animators in-charge are expected to submit the income and expenses statement to the parish.

DOES ECO KIDS MEET FOR ANY MEETING?

Yes, the ECO KIDS meet every month along with their animator in-charge on next Sunday after the PPC meeting. During this meeting, the kids plan out a project for the month.

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY ECO KIDS?

As kids, it is understandable that they are not expected to conduct big projects. However, the ECO KIDS organise small projects, especially to bring awareness on various environmental issues affecting the present and future generations

ANY EXAMPLES OF THE PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY THE ECO KIDS?

During this academic year (2015-16), the ECO KIDS have conducted the projects like Elocution contest on Green Diwali, Campaign against bursting of crackers, Best out of Waste contest, poster drawing contest on the theme of environment, collection of newspaper, e-waste and other scrape items, cleanliness drive in the area, training on composting/potted plants etc.

HOW DO YOU FOLLOW UP ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE ECO CLUBS?

To facilitate a close follow up on the KIDS ECO CLUB project, the coordinators are expected to submit a monthly feedback form. This feedback form contains the names of kids attended for the meeting, a brief report on the project conducted, and the accounts details for the month.

HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE?To motivate the group to do their best, and to create a healthy competition, the following pointing system is followed:1] Early bird reporting (i.e. submission of feedback report) – 10 points2] Monthly meeting attendance – 5 points per kid3] Monthly project – 20 points4] Neatness in report writing – 5 points

HOW DO YOU REWARD THE BEST PERFORMERS?

Once a year, at the end of academic year, we have an ENVIRONMENT RALLY. This rally consists of 2 parts. The first part is WALK FOR ENVIRONMENT and the second part is a STAGE PROGRAMME. During the stage programmeindividual and groupperformers of the year are given prizes and certificates.

WHAT IS THIS WALK FOR ENVIRONMENT?

People from different SCCs, walk in procession from all the corners of the parish holding banners and placards with various slogans on environmental protection. On the way, they distribute pamphlets on COMMANDMENTS ON ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING to the shops and other pedestrians (English and Hindi version- see at the end) . Finally, all the groups congregate in the church premises at a particular time and get ready for the second part - the STAGE PROGRAMME.

HOW LONG THE ROUTE OF THE WALK FOR ENVIRONMENT? HOW DO YOU TIME IT?

It is possible that, some SCCs are closer to the church some SCCs may be far from the church. Keeping this in mind, a tentative time is given for the walk. The animators of each SCCare expected to plan the route in such a way that they should walk at least for 30 minutes to one hour so that as many people on the way get the message.

HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD JOIN IN THE WALK?To make sure, there is a decent number of people join for the walk, an incentive is announced in advance. Whichever SCC group enlists at least 50 members are awarded a cash prize. This strategy motivates the members to enlist theminimum members. When the procession reaches the church premises, a head count is done to see that the enlisted nos are present. If each SCC gets 50 people, and 10 SCCS participate, the total crowd will be 500!!

WHAT STAGE PROGRAMME DO YOU HAVE?

Each ECO kids group puts up an awareness item on environment like a skit, street play, role play, debate, PowerPoint Presentation, Action song,musical etc. Each group has been allotted about 10/12 minutes. As there will be a big number of audience, to ensure items put up are of good quality, a rehearsal is taken few days beforehand, and only the best items are chosen for the rally day performance.

FOR WHICH ACTIVITY PRIZES AND CERIFICATES ARE AWARDED?

The ECO KIDS group which scores highest in overall points is awarded with the ROTATING TROPHY for the BEST ECO KIDS CLUB of the year. Besides, as a gesture of appreciation, a cash prize is given to the top three ECO KIDS CLUBS. Also, the individual ECO KIDS who stand top on various contests held during the year are given the prizes and MERIT AND APPRECIATION certificates.

WHAT IS THE APPRECIATION CERTIFICATE?

As an encouragement for ECO KIDS to attend the monthly meetings regularly, and actively participate in the activities, the ECO KIDS who get 100% attendance for the monthly meetings are given the GEM APPRECIATION CERTIFCATE. Also as a gesture of appreciation, the ECO KIDS fro 11th std is also given an Appreciation certificate and a farewell gift.

For continuing as a member in the JOGESHWARI ECO KIDS CLUB till 11th Std and actively participating in various activities and programmes connected with the environmental protection.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GIVING AN APPRECIATION CERTIFICATE AND FAREWEL GIFT TO THE 11TH STD KIDS?

Normally ECO KIDS are expected to join in their 5th std and serve as ECO KIDS for the next 6 years. After 11th std they have to leave the group as now they are well groomed to join other youth groups or NGOs. Therefore, as an appreciation for continuing in the group for so many years the certificate and a gift is given. This will also motivates younger ECO KIDS to remain in the group till they finish 11th std.

A FINAL QUESTION – WHY DO YOU THINK ECO KIDS MOVEMENT IS SO IMPORTANT?

Pope Francis in his recent encyclical on environment ‘Laudato Si’ exhorts the importance of caring for the Mother Earth. If we have to put into practice the teachings of Pope, we need the help of kids. Kids are more open to change than adults. Moreover the kids will be the direct beneficiaries of a CLEAN AND GREEN EARTH as they will live for many more years than the elders. This is a good reason why all kids must be trained as the ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS !

WHAT ARE THE COMMANDMENTS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING YOU SPOKE EARLIER:

YES THEY ARE:

1] Carry reusable bag (jute, cloth, thick plastic) when you go for bazaar. Refuse to take thin plastic bags.2] Avoid using vehicles for short distance. Instead walk.3] Carry your own water bottle wherever you go, and avoid buying mineral water.4] Try to save cooking gas by avoiding heating food repeatedly. Family can eat together and avoid heating food at different times.5] Avoid compulsive shopping. While shopping question yourself – do I really need this item (cloth, utensil, gadget, furniture etc)

6] Try to use the household items, gadgets etc till it becomes completely useless (use it as long as possible). 7] Reduce, reuse, recycle – Reduce means buy things only if it is really needed. Reuse means, use things which can be used repeatedly (example - plates, glasses, spoons), recycle means, instead of sending certain items to the dumping grounds, sell them to the scrape dealers who use the items for recycling purposes.8] Segregate garbage into wet and dry. Dry waste can be sold to scrape dealers. Wet waste can be used for composting. 9] Save water creatively – if possible avoid using washing machine which takes lot of water, avoid big size toilet flushes or pour water in the mug instead of pressing flush after each time you use the toilet, recycle the water – example, after washing clothes, cleaner water left out can be used for plants, washing floor/toilets etc.

10] Save electricity by using energy saving bulbs. Wherever possible make use of the natural light.11] Do not discard papers without making full use of the blank space. Example use both sides of the pages, reuse envelopes for internal correspondence etc.12] From time to time take the inventory of the things lying at your home. Question ‘do I need these things’? Things which are not used by you for long can be donated to charitable NGOs or needy families.

Courtesy: GEM E-NEWSLETTER

A QUESTION TO PONDER!