Creating Awareness: Kids for Climate Action!

On 29 May 2022, Religions for Peace Interfaith Youth Climate Forum in partnership with the Ubuntu Wellness Project Centre and Religions for Peace South Africa hosted a Kids for Climate Action Event. With an attendance of 40 participants comprising of kids, volunteers and parents; the program focused on building interfaith relationships through friendships and creating awareness of climate change through fun creative activities. Most of the children were graduates from MamZulu's Creche in the informal settlement of Banana City, Pinetown. 

The day started off as a treat for the kids with vegan peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast and playing soccer on the beautiful green fields at the Ubuntu Wellness Centre. 

The kids enjoyed being in the open nature outdoors as they have no green space where they currently live. The event started with interfaith prayers, meditation, deep breathing to reflect and show gratitude to Mother Earth followed by a name game icebreaker to get to know one another. This was followed by song and dance about the earth, played on the guitar. They sang about trees and what they do (Oxygen, shelter, food, shade, etc) as well as a unity song comparing us all to flowers in the garden and drops of one ocean that highlighted that we are one across faiths, religions and colours.

Thereafter there was a talk about the Spekboom and Aloe Plant. Everyone was gifted with a seedling and they had committed to take it home and plant it in a pot and take care of it with gratitude and love. 

Participants were then divided into 6 groups and each painted a mural that was inspired by the theme of caring for our earth. The children and youth made beautiful murals of the oceans, farms, trees, mountains, rivers and the sky. They took their artwork back to their creche to decorate it and make it beautiful.

The day ended off with a vote of thanks, more songs and dance and a delicious vegan lunch together of rolls, beans, carrots and lettuce as well as apples. Each child thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience and the opportunity to have time to create art with paint. For some of them, this was their first time and it was a very exciting experience as they don't have access to art materials. RfP-IYCF donated the rest of the art materials to the kids. Although the event was scheduled from 10h30am to 12h30am (2hrs), it went on from 9h30 to 14h30 (5hrs)! We thank the highest divine love for a blessed day. 

Reflections from Teacher MamZulu, "We thank you for your time and everyone was happy and willing to come back again. Thank you very much for the painting. Children enjoyed every minute of painting. They're excited with their work. Thanks to you and every one who makes the best of the day and the Grace of God may be upon every heart of ubuntu wellness team for taking care of Banana city children. Thank you."

"The simple act of care, the simple act of love and power of seva are the key ingredients for change to happen in this world and in the whole Universe."

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