World Environmental Day – 05/06/2013

This year we were very busy with World Environmental day (WED). Dhanushka our Kelani Nadee Yathree (River journey) and Paapedi Yathree (bicycle Journey) organized a workshop for children in his area on the 4^th of June. This was the first workshop he organized at his organic farm. A team of 40 including students, teachers and some student Buddhist monks visited his farm and participated in the half day workshop on the importance of being environmental friendly and growing organic. He also planted few trees in his farm along with the participants. Three from ECO-V office went to support him. 

Some of the participants sitting in side the farm

Dhanushka giving an introduction

Participants walking through farm

On the 5^th June there were many volunteers joined with us in Colombo who became members of ECO-V through face book group. They all gathered to the Good Market, Colombo where we set up an exhibition on being environmental friendly and going green. It took place from 12pm to 8pm and many people visited us and admired the discussion points we had.  We also conducted the “Nature Kids” programme as usual.

At the ECO-V exhibition stall

parent and kids at our stall

some of the new volunteers

I delivered a presentation on the same day on WED theme, “Think-Eat-Save” at Royal College, the leading boy’s school in Colombo on invitation by Ecologi a CSR wing of a private company. There were about 450 students who participated in the programme. 

Children and Nature activities at Good Market, Colombo

“Good market” (https://www.facebook.com/thegoodmarketcolombo) is the latest gathering in Colombo started by people who believes in sustainable and healthy living in Sri Lanka. Good Market opens every Thursday (12pm-8pm) at  Water's Edge Park at Battaramulla. This initiative is led by Amanda  Kiessel ( Sri Lankanised American)  from Sewa Lanka foundation has grown into a gathering place for people who live and believe in sustainable life style. ECO-V has been involved in the “Good Market” from its inception but never had time to do any activities due to Paapedi  2013 campaign.

Amanda and Achala two of few who are behind Good Market

View of the entrance to Good Market

Today, ECO-V started awareness and consciousness creation activities among kids in the good market premises due to constant request from the organizers. This has been one of the ECO-V’s dreams to inculcate the habit of admiring the nature in order to protect our mother nature. 

Today we talked about dragon flies, fish, pelicans, crows and ducks which were in the area at that time. We also talked about how animals speak and how we can try to understand them to respect their well being. They were amazed to see an ant nest on a tree. They also enjoyed watching Pelicans using binoculars. When I said good bye to them after an hour they wanted to make sure that I will be back in next week for another session.

Got exited when they saw Pelicans 

Also talked about communication among animals

During the nature walk

using Binoculars

Through these activities we will promote the concept of “your garden is your university”. They will be trained to admire environment around them and to get connected with Nature. But continuation of such activity is always a challenge due to lack of sponsorship. We very much look forward to find out a way of continuing these activities every week.

DAY 9

22 March 2012

The journey is almost over - only another 1 day to go.

Today we joined the WORLD WATER DAY celebration along with the EVERY DROP MATTERS project organised by the UN. We joined their activities - i.e. collecting special waste from households (batteries, electronic waste, energy saving bulbs...)  and talking to people about waste and ways to reduce it.

Since we are approaching Colombo, the situation surrounding us has changed immensely.
Remember the very first days of our journey ... they felt like riding through paradise. It was pure joy traveling through the stunning, rich nature of Sri Lanka. I could not think of anything nicer than cycling and feeling energized by the beautiful scenery. But since we passed Kurunegala, the feeling is different. We are wearing  breathing masks in order to protect our lungs from the fumes polluting the air. The traffic is chaotic. It feels very stressful to be on the road and to experience our vulnerability as cyclists. But there is one big advantage at the same time - while all the vehicles are stuck on the road, we are the only ones who are moving forward.

Tomorrow we will reach Colombo City.
We will participate in the global EARTH HOUR project and disconnect from electricity for one hour.
Join in, "switch off" and continue to save energy wherever possible.

Jai

DAY 8

Today we got up at 5am and started environmental meditation and stretches.

After some team-building activities, we were on our 10km ride towards the train station. There, we were able to drop in at a Singer store, one of the main sponsors for this journey and recognize and thank them for their support.

When we arrived at Gampaha, we rode towards the Bontanical Gardens where we got to tour the grounds, but also receive a lecture about agriculture from Chamira.

We are now two days away from arriving to Colombo, our final destination, where we will then be joined by other urban cyclists and celebrate Earth Hour.

Please continue to check in to see our progress!
Harish Mistry

DAY 7

March 20th, 2013

Day 7

Following on from yesterday after an inspiring presentation delivered expertly by Jie Chen from Crissy Fields Centre, San Francisco, USA. About his work with the youth from different neighborhoods around SF, very similar to the Yathras of Paapedi being from all parts of Sri Lanka. One of the key points I noted was how the aim was to not only give the youth the knowledge and information required but to allow the group of individuals to work as a team and equip them with the tools to be able to manage their own projects designed and created solely by them so they can relate to it on a personal level. This helps to build up a lot of skills required in implementing and running projects which would inspire them to be leaders in future.

The learnings gained from the different approach and methods of Crissy Fields Centre led by Jie Chen, opened up new ideas and possibilities to the current Yathras eagerly listening, as some more than others could relate directly to their own lives and to their own projects as thy themselves were mentors for others. This created a new dynamic within the team, which was interesting to see.  And was shown during the rehearsals of a new street drama which was delivered today at Kurunegala underground road crossing system in the city center.

The first performance was great to see as it was nice to see it being performed by a group of people different to the previous. It actually involved a set of 3 acts each delivering a different key message. As the quieter members of the group having had time to settle take the initiative and want to play more prominent roles in the street drama. I myself had a part to play, albeit very small! But it was exciting to feel even more involved. The second performance was acted out at Kurunegala bus station. The area was vast and it was very difficult to be heard. It was cut short in part by the noisy buses and their blaring horns but the Yathras showed great initiative as they split themselves into two groups and tried to cover 2 sides of the bus station., in trying to maintain the group of people that had gathered. Before dispersing into smaller groups to deliver the awareness messages on issues around protecting the environment.

During the remainder of the day either side of the street dramas, to further water tests were carried out at Saragama Wewa (tank) and Kurunegala Wewa. At Saragama Wewa, refreshingly the water was of pH7 (neutral), so of rinkable nature, but unfortunately iy was polluted with polythene bags and aluminium cans, which was a shame making it undrinkable.

We also visited our first Hindu Kovil (Temple), which was a very pleasant experience for all. In particular for me being a Hindu it was a very peaceful and serene experience. It was special for me as it allowed for me to just be..and rest my mind and focus on God bu chanting prathnas. The start of Paapedi began with a blessed visit to the sri Maha Bodi and I wish for the latter part of the journey to go by equally as safely and even more successfully. And hope each of the Yathras find their purpose and are able to fulfill what they came looking for.

As we approach the latter part of this memorable journey and the hustle and bustle of city life, it is now vitally important to deliver an even bigger impact on the people and society as news of our actions spread and stimulate a greener more eco-friendly way of life.

Harish Mistry

19th March 2013 - "ALL THE WORLDS PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED IN A GARDEN”.

Our 6th PAAPEDI-day started early morning at 6am in a big garden with barefoot nature meditation and the sounds of all kinds of early birds. The deeper meaning of our outside meditation is to start feeling being part of nature, rather than feeling detached from it.

Meditation starts at 5.30am when its still dark!

During the daytime we focused on leadership education, sustainability concepts and the relevancy of youth projects.

How an article was written in Thirukkural News Paper!

All of us participants are from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds. For some it is the first time in their lives that they are in such close touch with a different community other than their own. And everybody loves it. We discover our own diversity and the beauty of it. During the first days I used to ask the other participants about their ethnic backgrounds. But one guy refused to tell me. All he said was, "I am a human being and i can speak three languages – English, Sinhalese and Tamil".  - I think that is the best answer one can give. Since then I stopped asking and I am happy that we all feel so connected despite of man made distinctions and history.

Two towns down and still riding strong! – Yapahuwa and Wariyapola

               Yesterday’s morning at Galgamuwa started with environmental meditation  led by Kanchana Weerakoon. We were on a path next to a lily filled lake with a plethora of wild life noises in the background. We were able to take the time to use our senses and our minds to explore and experience how the natural and urban space interacted with each other, and develop our own personal understanding of this situation.

                We were soon on our bikes, escorted by officers of the Galgamuwa police station and 10 Army personal  riding towards Yapahuwa. It would be a 29km journey for the day. The emphasis on this day’s work was practicing our messaging to the public during our ride. Along the way, participants would educate and advocate the public about not using pesticide and to please stop burning plastics because of its harmful effects on the environment and to your health. This ride included another theatre performance at the local bus station.

                When we reached Yapahuwa, participants had an opportunity to experience the cultural history and heritage of the 4^th ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka. For participants who decided to hike up the mountain (and most of us did), they were rewarded with sights of where ancient and present Buddhist monks practiced. Also at the top, not only did participants see monkeys, they were treated with a magnificent 360 degree view of the lush beautiful landscape.

                Today we rode 34km to Variyapola escorted by the Sri Lanka military and the officers of the Yapahuwa police department (They are also riding as part of Paapedi team). So far we’ve ridden about 110km on our bikes. If you, our readers, are currently not utilizing a bicycle, please consider these benefits:

1.       There are zero emissions from this form of transportation.

2.       You will save money on fuel.

3.       It can reduce stress.

4.       You can use it to carry books, flowers, and food if you are going to the market or library.

5.       The activity of bicycling can affect your health positively – giving you legs of steel!

6.       The Earth is happy when you use it (No air pollution etc.)

7.       And much much…. more!

It is amazing how practical a bicycle is for transportation and to run errands. Dust off that old bicycle or borrow one from your friend this week and give it a try!

During Street Drama in Galgamuwa bus stand

Talking about road kill (Green vine snake)

Some of Yathrees on top of Yapahuwa rock

Please continue to check this blog for more updates on the 2^nd half of our journey - Jie Chen from USA