

I. Description : The environmental education campaign titled « Zero Plastic in Primary and Secondary Schools for a Sustainable Planet » aims to raise awareness among younger generations about reducing plastic waste within their communities. It seeks to encourage individual and collective commitments to protect the planet.This program also addresses the fight against climate change by equipping learners with essential knowledge about the harmful effects of plastic waste in their learning environment and daily lives.

Target
Primary and secondary school environments. Who We AreWe are young journalists from the city of Goma, specifically Denise KAVIRA KYALWAHI, Director of NATURELCD, and MUNGUIKO Thierry, Director of Au Pic Nature. We are committed to protecting, conserving, and safeguarding nature by using our communication platforms (Au Pic de l’Info and NATURELCD) to inform students about the dangers of plastic waste.Our mission is to transform public perceptions of plastic use within our communities. Beyond journalism, we aim to alert the world to the urgency of taking action for our planet and the climate.
II. From Research to Action
We strive to go beyond mere denunciation and awareness-raising by taking tangible actions. Our participatory and active approach will allow us to engage directly with our target audience, enabling them to internalize the message and contribute to the country’s economy.

Goals Include : Reducing youth unemployment: Many young people in Goma struggle to find employment after completing secondary or university education. This program will provide opportunities for waste transformation within the green and circular economy sectors.
Campaign Objectives :
General Objective : Our aim is to properly educate students about the consequences of plastic waste. Within six months, targeted schools should eliminate plastic waste from their premises and surroundings. We also aim to inspire widespread action, enabling every child to collect and repurpose plastic waste into art or practical objects, generating potential income while keeping their schools clean.
Specific Objectives :
1. Awareness : Educate students on the environmental impacts of plastics.Create eco-peer groups, nature soldiers, and school sanitation brigades to oversee cleanliness and provide progress reports on the program.
2. Action : Encourage active participation in recycling and waste reduction.Organize sorting workshops, plastic waste collection activities, composting, and clean-ups in and around schools.Teach children to recycle and create value-added items (e.g., flower pots, bins, toys, brooms, chandeliers).
3. Collective Engagement : Involve entire schools in challenges to reduce waste and promote sustainable alternatives.Broadcast radio and TV programs to expand outreach and inspire broader action.
Long-Term Objectives: Within two years, we aim to expand this program across the North Kivu province, from Goma to Eringeti, in collaboration with school authorities and media partners.The goal is to establish waste-free schools, develop children into change agents, and create eco-peer clubs and youth climate ambassadors.
III. Activities
1. Creative Workshops : Train students to create reusable items from recycled materials.
2. Media Campaigns : Host radio and TV programs with journalists to inspire other children and youth to act for the planet.
3. Plastic-Free Days : Encourage the use of reusable products (e.g., metal or glass containers instead of plastic).
4. Green Classroom Projects : Organize educational outings to explore nature and understand the importance of biodiversity (e.g., visits to lakes, parks, zoos, and plantations).These initiatives aim to instill a culture of environmental respect from an early age.

Educational Tools for Raising Awareness on Zero PlasticEffective tools and strategies for teaching students about zero plastic include:
1.Workshops: Interactive activities such as « Recycling Geniuses » and « Archimedes… and Plastics! » to teach sorting and recycling in a fun way.
2. Educational Materials: Pedagogical kits covering topics like waste prevention (targeted at ages 11-12).The scientific approach (observation and experimentation) to explore the causes, impacts, and solutions for plastic waste accumulation in Lake Kivu.
3. Interactive Exhibits: Experiences like the Eco-Consumption Maze to highlight the impact of plastic waste.
4. Visual Aids: Posters, videos, and photos illustrating the degradation of plastic waste and its environmental effects.
5. Practical Projects : Engage students in school gardens, beach clean-ups, and other hands-on activities to foster direct involvement in environmental protection.
Citations Green Minded Educational Actions on Zero Waste “Less Waste at School: Everyone Wins!” Canada’s
Guide to Reducing Plastic Waste
Done in Goma, December 18 2014
Au Pic Nature MUNGUIKO Thierry
NATURELCDDenise KAVIRA KYALWAHI