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.