After 11 months of settling me down in New Delhi, India I am
so happy to introduce ECO-V’s “Nature Kids” programme to kids and parents in
India too. When we started Nature kids in Sri Lanka in 2013, it was with only 4
kids including my own two boys. There after on every Thursdays we went to Good
Market (https://www.facebook.com/goodmarket.global/) to conduct this programme and we were waiting for kids to come
to us. Luckily, We did not have to wait too long. It grew up so fast as one of the
highlights of Good Market. With the support of Kate Stork Memorial Fund, UK in
2013, we were able to make it a regular weekly programme to train more youth
leaders who run the programme. Also we introduced Nature Friendly Teens, Youth
and even Nature Friendly Parents! Also introduced Nature Friendly Birth Day
parties by Nature kids. “Nature train” formed by chain of kids during Nature
walks around Diyatha Uyana Wetland in Colombo was more attractive with bubbly
happy kids. It grew up with a huge
attendance of kids and we had to limit it to 20 kids per session as it was
challenging to manage all enthusiastic kids aged between 3 to 14 years who were
running towards us on every Thursdays after school.
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| Nature Train! with kids favorite animal image |
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| sitting and chatting before nature walk |
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| During Nature walk |
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| understanding elements of Mother Nature! |
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| feeling the other living beings- handle with care! |
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| listening to kid's on what they discover.. |
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| during Nature walk |
Nature kids is a programme I decided to start after reading
the book “Last Child in the woods by Richard Louv” I was lucky enough to
connect with Richard in 2012 during my Eisenhower fellowship visit to USA. So I
did not want to see the last child in the woods in Sri Lanka who is suffering
from “Nature Deficit disorders” as described by Richard in his book. That’s the
motivation behind the progarmme.
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| The book I got inspired for starting Nature Kids |
I was always inspired by kids who showed the
great love towards more sentimental features of Mother Nature. We discussed
about patterns of falling leaves, sound of falling leaves and drew the shaped
of clouds, mountains and even we heard the sound of bees and butterfly wing
flapping. We smell the fragrances of flowers while leaving them for butterflies
and bees and ants to enjoy. Kids learnt how to enjoy Mother nature through five
sensory organs. They learn the patterns of Mother Nature by watching at them
and understanding. They started to meditate with the sounds of birds and wind,
touched the elements of Nature with care and love. Never dropped litter or spit
on her, never wanted to heart her. Stopped eating processed food and started
growing plants and vegetables at home with their parents. Celebrated their
birthdays with zero waste. They wrote about their experience at different
forums and won awards too. Ultimately they connected with Mother Nature through
mind and body, becoming a true Nature kid!
So now, I am ready to repeat same actions or more with kids
in Delhi. The first programme we ran was a success. I have another reason to
start this programme. With the invitation and support from an Indian team I
managed to share my experience in forming a new NGO. It’s called Edible Routes
Foundation (https://us13.campaign-archive.com/?u=5bb2dbe1f48c19b3abe8ae127&id=2400675436) Since I am well settled in New Delhi, India this is a
great opportunity to continue my work which I missed since I left Sri Lanka. “Nature
kids” is my first gift to the kids of Mother India! I really look forward to
working with them towards a healthy and happy Mother Nature and vice versa.
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| Kids are all beautiful in the word specially when they become Nature Kids! |
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| wow....are they read or orange?? |
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| understanding birds through feather |
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| close look at a leaf not seen before! |
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| feeling the fragrance of flowers through mind and body |
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| Listening to trees |
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| The team at Edible Routes Foundation who helped me to run Nature Kids in Delhi |
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