With the sole objective to create awareness of the environment nuisance, its negative impacts on individual behaviours and adopt precautionary measures, Minerva, an NGO, launched its five-day workshop ’ Monday on recycled art, titled ‘Children Going Green.
Minerva is led by a young and ambitious director, Sana Khalid who is doing associate chartered accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). This unique initiative comes with several core competencies that will be maximised to harness the full potential of its members, involving children in particular. The workshop was conducted by Natasha Iqbal.
“The thought of our world where fresh air and clean water are the things of the past seems outlandish to a lot of us, even today. But now more than ever before, going green is important. Let’s not wait for us to be left with no option before we decide to take an action,” said Sana Khalid, Minerva CEO.
“Those who reject the idea or ignore it simply because they think it’s a huge task or that it doesn’t concern them are obviously wrong. Choosing to live an environment-friendly life is as simple as using paper bags instead of plastic bags. Slight changes to our lifestyle can make a difference and once you adopt a more ‘green’ lifestyle, you will realise that your cost of living goes down too. This workshop should be considered an investment in the future and in a greener environment,” she added.
The first day commenced with ice-breaking activities, including dumb charades and Chinese whispers, followed by a presentation on what going green means and why we should adopt a more environment-friendly lifestyle.
Children brought with them boxes, bottles, old clothes, broken toys and other items that they will be using during the workshop to create new and innovative art pieces and decoration items. A few of the children present at the workshop had participated in Minerva’s summer camp too and were thrilled to see one another again. All the children shared their ideas of what they think recycling is and how they can help the world be a better place. “I turn the tap off while I brush my teeth,” said one while another complained, “People throw away litter on the roads. I don’t like it.”
The five-day workshop, ‘Children Going Green’, for children and young individuals, will focus on reusing and recycling things we normally throw away or keep with us, but never use them. These include old CDs, bottle caps, cans, broken gadgets, empty boxes, buttons, old games and puzzles with missing or broken pieces, old cassettes and whatever you can think of or find at home hidden under your bed or in your store room.
In addition to sharing with the participants simple principles of conservation, recycling and reuse, the workshop will help children think of ways to construct pieces of art from what we usually consider trash. The participants will then be facilitated to create their own recycled art which will be showcased at the concluding ceremony of the workshop.
Recycled art is not very popular in Pakistan. It is an interesting and innovative way towards a greener future. This workshop will help familiarise our youth with this form of art besides helping us reduce extra cost on our daily lives.
Minerva also offers avenues to promote music and hold art exhibitions by budding artists. Moreover, it encourages students to utilise this platform for symposiums, seminars and implementation of other ideas and events corresponding to Minerva’s philosophy.
