Green Lens and Insieme Si Puo Conduct Climate and Environmental Education Impacting 264 Primary Students in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono Districts

Updated: Aug 19

Between July 8th and 23rd, 2024, Green Lens International, in partnership with Insieme Si Puo with funding from Maratona Dles Dolomites, conducted a comprehensive training program titled “Let's Save Our Planet! Understanding Climate Change, Nature, and How to Protect It” across five primary schools in the Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts.

A learner reading a book during the training.

This initiative aimed to educate young learners about environmental conservation and sustainable practices, making a significant impact on 264 students from various schools, including Masanafu Primary School, Good Heart's Nursery and Primary School, St. Andrew Kaggwa Nursery and Primary School, Kiwuliriza Primary School, and Namakwa Primary School.

The training sessions were a blend of interactive presentations, hands-on activities, art sessions, tree planting, and quizzes to assess students' understanding. Despite challenges such as heavy rains, lack of electricity in some classrooms, and issues with children's confidence and engagement, the program proved to be highly successful. Both students and teachers displayed great enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, creating an atmosphere of excitement and curiosity.

At the core of the training was the objective to increase knowledge on climate change, highlighting its causes and impacts on the environment and society. The program also focused on raising awareness about plastic recycling, introducing clean cooking technologies, and engaging students through interactive activities that made learning both engaging and memorable. These activities included practical experiences like tree planting, briquette making, and demonstrations of clean cooking technologies, which helped students understand the practical applications of the concepts they were learning.

Students and the Green Lens team pose for a group photo after completing the training at Good Hearts Primary School in Kajjansi, Entebbe, Wakiso District.

The program was led by a dedicated team from Green Lens International, including Nelson Byanyima and facilitators Bearne Nagasha, Turyahebwa Claire, Isabella Lamunu, and Parvin Nantumbwe. Their efforts were supported by photographers and videographers who documented the sessions, as well as teachers from each school who played a crucial role in organizing and mobilizing the students. The ISP team, led by Ermes Amato and Pamella Namara, played an active role throughout the training, supervising and coordinating the program to ensure its success.

Green Lens International with ISP Staff during the training.

Throughout the sessions, students participated in various activities designed to enhance their understanding of environmental issues. These included a climate change art session where students creatively expressed their thoughts on how climate change might affect their favorite animals, a recycling project that taught them how to repurpose plastic bottles for planting, and a tree planting exercise that not only contributed to local reforestation efforts but also instilled a sense of personal responsibility in the students as they named and cared for their trees.

Children engaging in a clean cooking lesson during the training

The training program concluded with a quiz that assessed the students' understanding of the topics covered. The quiz results indicated a high level of comprehension among the students, with Masanafu Primary School achieving the highest score, closely followed by St. Andrew Kaggwa Primary School and Kiwuliriza Primary School. These results, along with media coverage featuring interviews with students, teachers, and partners, highlighted the program's success and the positive impact it had on the participants.

Children displaying the briquettes they made during the training

Despite the program's success, there were challenges that needed to be addressed. Heavy rains occasionally disrupted activities, and limited electricity in some classrooms posed difficulties for presentations and interactive sessions. Additionally, some students initially struggled with confidence, which affected their full participation. However, these challenges were mitigated through adaptable approaches such as group discussions and contingency planning.

Children working in groups to plant trees as part of the training program

The program's success emphasized the importance of continued efforts in environmental education. Recommendations for future programs include the introduction of environmental clubs within schools, the facilitation of experiential learning through field trips, the integration of project-based learning, and deeper involvement of teachers in climate education to ensure ongoing support and reinforcement of sustainable practices.

A student presenting her drawing during one of the training activities

In conclusion, the "Let's Save Our Planet!" training program effectively educated over 264 primary school students and more than 20 teachers on climate change, recycling, clean cooking innovations, briquette making, and sustainable practices like tree planting. The program was well-received, with students expressing excitement about the topics covered and teachers noting the program's effectiveness in enhancing environmental awareness. The success of this initiative, highlighted by the planting of over 200 trees across the participating schools, serves as a testament to the impact of hands-on, interactive learning experiences in fostering a commitment to environmental conservation among young learners.

Download full report here