Written by Mohamed Helmy Tolba, Global Schools Advocate from Egypt and Extra-Curricular activities and Events Director in the International School of Elite Education
As global citizens, it is our responsibility to care for the planet we call home. With Earth Day coming up, what better way to do that than by planting trees? Trees are a symbol of life and a source of oxygen, helping us breathe clean air and combat climate change. That is why, as an educator and a Global Schools Advocate, I am proud to share our story of planting 1000 trees in public schools and areas around Cairo, Egypt. Our initiative, inspired by the Amazon jungle fires and Earth Day, is not just about planting trees but also about spreading awareness and inspiring change.
The idea of planting 1000 trees seemed daunting at first, but we knew it was a small step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and raising awareness about life on land and climate change. We started with a full campaign involving awareness sessions in classes, posters, guest speakers, and articles to be sent home by email to raise parents' awareness. Our aim was to encourage people to plant more and to educate them about the importance of trees in sustaining life on Earth. With this campaign, we hoped to inspire not only our students but also the wider community to take action for a better future.
After laying the groundwork, we started our fundraising campaign to cover the cost of 1000 trees. We estimated the required amount and approached an NGO that helped us buy the trees, offered help in selecting planting locations, and provided awareness sessions for our student council and volunteers to spread the word to the whole school community. We worked closely with the NGO to ensure that the trees were planted in the right areas, where they would have the most significant impact and care after raising the other public school students about how to take care of these trees to make our solution sustainable. And finally, planting Week arrived.
Our students were great examples of dedication and passion. They worked tirelessly to ensure that each tree was planted correctly and given the necessary care to grow. The planting day week was a huge success for our students as we made it an obligatory field trip to make a difference in their community. And it wasn't just us; the media also took notice of our initiative, and we were featured in a news report. This helped us reach a wider audience and inspired others to take action for a greener future.
Charity work in schools has the power to teach teachers and students about many aspects, like research, networking, communication, teamwork, and empathy, and it allows you to know more about your own community. It leads us to be more realistic about our goals, research, and projects that are more relevant to local or global community needs. Planting 1000 trees is just a small step towards achieving SDGs, but it has had a significant impact on our students' mindset and the community as a whole. It has taught us the importance of working together for a common goal and the power of small actions.
As we celebrate the upcoming Earth Day, let us remember that every action counts towards a better future. We can make a difference in our own small ways. Planting trees is one of the most effective ways to do that. It is a simple and sustainable solution that has a lasting impact on our planet. Our initiative to plant 1000 trees was just the beginning of our journey towards a greener and more sustainable future. We hope to inspire others to take similar actions and make a difference in their communities.
In conclusion, planting 1000 trees has been an incredible journey for us. It has taught us the power of community action and the importance of taking small steps towards a better future. We hope that our story inspires others to take action for a greener and more sustainable world.
