Education to nurture kindness in Chinese children

I hope this message finds you well. We are delighted to share an exciting update on our "Education to Nurture Kindness in Chinese Children" programme, which has been thriving with your generous support.

Earth Day 2024 marked a significant milestone for ACTAsia’s Caring for Life (CFL) educational programme. Celebrated globally on April 22, Earth Day encourages over one billion people in nearly 200 countries to take collective action for a healthier planet. This year’s theme, Planet vs Plastics, aimed to raise awareness of the harms of plastic pollution for human and planetary health, and we were thrilled to incorporate this critical message into our educational activities.

Impact and Reach

This year, 196 schools across 21 provinces and 66 cities in China participated in our Earth Day programme. Our efforts extended to 97 schools in rural areas, reaching a total of 155,303 students. Through engaging activities, we were able to instil the values of environmental stewardship and sustainable living in students from kindergarten to middle school.

Zero Waste-Themed Activities

In response to the Chinese Ministry of Education’s call for “green and low-carbon education,” our Zero Waste activities were a resounding success. We provided schools with a comprehensive CFL toolkit designed to promote critical thinking and active learning. Activities included treasure hunts, role-playing as time travellers, and becoming ‘Eco-Detectives’ to uncover the secrets behind waste. These interactive and fun exercises aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of zero-waste principles among the students.

Teacher and Student Feedback

The feedback from both teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive. One primary school teacher shared her initial apprehension about teaching complex environmental concepts but was soon amazed by the students' curiosity and engagement.

“As a Chinese teacher in a primary school, I was introduced to this Thematic Class. It was my first-time teaching students this type of class. Initially, I was apprehensive about the children’s understanding, as terms such as ‘greenhouse effect’ or ‘low carbon life’ rarely appeared in their daily lives. However, to my delight, the children’s curiosity and engagement grew as the class progressed. They posed insightful questions, such as ‘What is the relation between climate and the Earth?’ ‘Is a greenhouse a big room?’ ‘What is low-carbon?’ Their enthusiasm and realisation that they could make a difference in protecting the Earth filled me with hope for the future.”

Students also expressed their newfound awareness and commitment to protecting the environment. One fourth-grade student eloquently articulated how human activities impact ecosystems and the importance of individual actions in restoring balance.

Global Impact

We are proud that our Earth Day activities are part of a global movement that has achieved significant milestones, from the establishment of environmental laws to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and climate literacy projects. Our involvement in Earth Day not only educates and inspires young minds but also contributes to a larger, collective effort towards a sustainable future.

Earth Day 2024 - Impact in Numbers

155,303 total number of students who took part

196 schools in 21 provinces and 66 cities

97 schools in the countryside

Looking Forward

We are working towards integrating the CFL education programme into the national curriculum in China, ensuring every child can learn about social welfare, civic responsibility, animal welfare, and environmental issues. Your support is crucial in making this vision a reality.

Thank you for your continued generosity and belief in our mission. We look forward to sharing more updates and successes as we strive to nurture kindness and environmental stewardship in the next generation.

We are delighted to provide an overview of the impactful achievements and milestones of ACTAsia's Caring for Life Children's Education Programme in 2023, which was made possible through your generous support. 

Introduction:  

In a year marked by global uncertainty and mounting environmental challenges, our education programmes have played a pivotal role in shaping compassionate attitudes and nurturing empathy among children, consumers, and professionals across Asia. Against this backdrop, ACTAsia remained committed to reaching more children with our vision for a more compassionate world for animals, people, and the environment.

Expanding Caring for Life Education for Children:  

Throughout 2023, our team worked tirelessly to expand the reach and impact of our Caring for Life Education for Children programme. One significant milestone was the publication of Year 4 Lesson Plans in Chinese, a vital resource approved for use in China's educational curriculum. These lesson plans covered various important topics, including City Waste, Personal Environmental Footprint, Exotic Animals as Pets, Social Disadvantage, and Disability. The curriculum was carefully designed to engage young learners and instil in them a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment. 

Impact Assessment:  

The impact of our Caring for Life curriculum was notable, with 2,399 children benefiting from the Year 4 Lesson Plans. Educators reported significant improvements in the children's knowledge and empathy and their active participation in classroom activities. Through these lessons, children gained valuable insights into pressing societal issues and developed a sense of responsibility towards creating positive change in their communities.

Success Stories:  

ACTAsia proudly unveiled the profound impact of our groundbreaking Caring for Life (CFL) education programme through our continued evaluation of the programme. Over a decade ago, Bill Samuels – a trailblazer in humane education research across Asia – joined forces with ACTAsia. His pioneering work culminated in our first Success Story of the year, showcasing the remarkable strides that have been made in nurturing humane attitudes and fostering prosocial behaviours among students in Eastern China.

Earth Day Celebration:  

One of the highlights in 2023 was our Earth Day Celebrations, which saw over 34,000 children from our pioneer schools in China participating in impactful activities centred around the theme "Invest in our Planet." Through engaging and interactive sessions, children explored the urgent issue of climate change and learned about the importance of environmental stewardship. The Earth Day programme raised awareness and empowered children to take meaningful action towards safeguarding the planet for future generations. 

Recognition in the International Journal of Educational Research: 

ACTAsia’s Caring for Life (CFL) education programme demonstrated its crucial impact through recognition in the International Journal of Educational Research. This highly influential and respected academic publication platform evaluated the impact of Caring for Life education for children. The paper, ‘Learning to Care,’ thoroughly assessed the CFL programme’s effects on cognitive empathy among lower-elementary students. The peer-reviewed article emphasised how the programme not only improved children’s empathy but also improved wellbeing outcomes.

Future Goals:  

Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited to embark on new initiatives to further our mission of creating a compassionate world for all. From publishing the full CFL primary school curriculum in Chinese to expanding our Earth Day events and reaching more children throughout Asia with the message of compassion. 

Thank you so much for supporting ACTAsia and helping us to create a kinder world for all.