Children Have a Rubbish Day

Photo and written by Nguyen Thanh Nhu Tu – Education Project Assistant, Nhu Xuan Area Development Programme (ADP) “Pick up your rubbish!” the children chanted as they marched through their mountainous village holding aloft placards with environmental protection messages writ large to raise awareness of green issues among their fellow villagers. More than 200 children joined the inaugural event, entitled “Everyone can make villages cleaner”, in Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province. Organised by local children’s clubs, the day was supported by World Vision in collaboration with the local youth union and the young pioneers. Through rain and shine, the children worked hard to prepare their placards with slogans that read “Eat in proper places”, “Put litter in bins”, “Eat and drink safely”, and “Clear up dung”. These messages were designed as simple and easy for villagers to read, understand and remember. “I’m really happy to have been part of this day run by my children’s club,” said third grade student Huyen. “At the club, we learn to take care of each other, like the adults do for us in our village, which makes me feel more confident.” To practise what they preached, the club members made commitments to keep their local environment clean by, for example, clearing away dung at their homesteads and washing their hands with soap after using the toilet. “This is the first time that local children have been involved in an event like this one and we hope similar activities will take place so our children have more opportunities to learn and play,” commented village leader Mr Nhan.