Mega Cleanup Campaign – One School One Heritage Campaign

It is always a start that needs the great effort.

This was the very first step led by The Generation Green (TGG) members to conserve the heritages which has been under shade via conducting cleanliness program under “One school one heritage” Program. On 22 November, 2014, Saturday, starting from Pulchowk to Gwarkho massive cleanliness program were held at heritage sites which included pulchowk stupa, purnachandi mandir, sundhara, saugal hiti and Tyagal hiti. This program consisted of about 250 participants who included students of Prabhat H.S.S, Shramjit Kishor S.S, Yashodhara Bouddha S.S, Bal Binod S.S, and Tri-Padma H.S.S, members of the Tole Sudhar Samitee, and TGG members along with the ECCA Staffs’.

Slogan prepared to present during heritage walk.

 

Considering present scenario of the deteriorating heritage sites, the main motto of this program was to clean the heritage sites and restore its beauty by the active participation of school children, make the community member realize their role in conservation of their heritages and gain the sustainability in the long run for conservation.

Local participating in Cleanup Campaign at Purna Chandi Temple.

 

Early in the morning at 6:30 am, Patan Durbar Square was covered with energetic participants for clean up where they collected the equipment such as mask, gloves and brush needed for the clean-up program.  We acknowledge the support of Environment Section – Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City for supporting the clean up program through providing adequate cleanup materials like brooms and dustbins.

Students of Bal Binod S.S with TGG member

All the participating school were led by a responsible TGG member to their respective heritage site for clean-up program. The groups got additional support on cleanup equipments and help from the members of local Tole Sudhar Samitee during the cleanliness program in their respective sites. Local contribution added more energy to the participants for clean up as they were assisted by provisions of dustpans, sacks and water for drinking. Many people were impressed by the work which was shown by their curiosity and active participation in this clean-up program.  They even provided water, tea, snacks which were very wise act as these were not expected from the community. The chattering of the students added more fun in the scorching sun. Despite of late start, students did their task efficiently, leaving no more garbage behind.  Due to many helpful hands, cleanup program ended very successfully in five different heritage sites. Considering the personal hygiene of participants, they were provided with water and soap for their cleanliness.

Students of Shramjit Kishor S.S at Sundhara during clean up program

By the active participation of five schools, the event became successful but this is just only the beginning. ECCA’s mission will be completed when the people realize their roles and responsibilities towards the preservation of the cultural heritages. Hope this start can bring a positive change in people’s perception about conservation of our heritages and the efforts made by the students and TGG members will be valued in long run.

Before and after: Sundhara

“A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational and economic legacies- all of the things that quite literally make us who we are” – Steve Berry.

Some Glimpses on the activities performed during the event.

The Generation Green and My THAT Hour

TGG Mentor and Mentee Interaction Program

WWF, Nepal in the collaboration with its associate partners, namely ECCA (Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness), SENSE Nepal, Youth Alliance for Environment and Green Youth of Lumbini announced the long awaited “mentorship” program under “The Generation Green Campaign”. Mentors and Mentees were the profound character of the program. The mentees were the youth of aged 16-26 of various academic background from different regions of Nepal whereas the mentors were the most celebrated professional figures in the field of banking, media, art and music, environment, etc. Superstar Rajesh Hamal, former Miss Nepal Malvika Subba, Chief Secretary of Government of Nepal Mr. Leela Mani Poudyal, coordinator of Hariyo Ban Program Dr. Shant Raj Jnawali, CEO of Mega Bank Anil Shah and others are to name few. The core concept of such integration was to enhance the conservation regime of Nepal with unison, thus ensuring that no loophole occurs in between various structural activities brought up for conservation in various parts of Nepal.

As the name itself suggests “The Generation Green”, this six long months mentorship program will grant an once in a life time opportunity for the mentees to be under the shade of these experts who have left no stone unturned in their respective significant field. 7-8 mentees being in average under each mentor during the mentorship period will be made familiar with the proficiency of respective mentors with an aim to develop a leadership amidst youths.

The inauguration of program was done with the official press conference at the venue of Kings Way, City Museum. The cozy room with the unique portrait frame being displayed and dazzling limelight was pleasant enough to forget the incessant rainy and extensively gloomy day of the Kathmandu valley.

I, being one of the mentee under the mentorship of Dr. Shanta Raj Jnawali would really like to appreciate the all the background efforts taken by all the organizations and its active members. Personally, my heartfelt thanks goes to WWF, The Generation Green Campaign, ECCA and other partner organization who brought us a chance to be a part of this Mentorship Program.

The interaction program in between the respective mentors and mentees were facilitated in the cubical room. Accordingly, I was blessed enough to stand next to the Dr. Shanta Raj Jnawali. His gentle attitude, soothing personality and laconic speech was enough for us to accept him as real conservationist. His appearance full of enthusiasm and his success story he shared was what motivated us even more.

Well, this was the very first day and still with the remaining 5 months and 29 days the interaction program adjourned with a word to gather again soon. This was “My that hour”.

 

Contributor: Mr. Ang Sherpa (is a member of TGG and is being mentored by Dr. Shanta Raj Jnawali).