Sesame Workshop India Promotes Environmental Education and Stewardship with "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" Program
New Delhi. Sesame Workshop India Trust, a non-profit organization, organized a successful environment awareness program at Maharaja Agrasen Panchayat Ghar, Narela, under the "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" initiative. This program aimed to educate children about air and solid waste management, empowering them to improve air quality around their homes and in their communities while fostering environmental consciousness. The event witnessed the participation of officials from various organizations, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Clean Air Fund, and Sesame Workshop India Trust.
Primary objective of the "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" campaign was to raise awareness about crucial environmental issues in Delhi, with a specific focus on air quality and solid waste management. Sesame Workshop India Trust provided children in Delhi with a platform to voice their concerns about the environment through this initiative. By nurturing environmental stewardship in children, the program aimed to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to educate and inspire others to adopt sustainable air quality and waste management practices.
Campaign also aimed to engage caregivers and the community at large through children's presentations and demonstrations on various environmental topics. Notable highlights of the program included skits on environmental quality and waste management, presented by the participating children. Sesame Workshop India Trust's on-ground experience for the "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" program was shared by Child Survival India, Chintan, and GreenTech.
During the event, N.K. Joshi, Environment Engineer from Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), stressed the importance of individual contributions to environmental preservation. He highlighted how children could play a significant role by initiating small efforts at home, such as conserving electricity, avoiding water wastage, and planting trees in their surroundings. Joshi commended campaigns like "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" for complementing the Government of India's Mission Life program, which aims to promote sustainable living and environmental awareness at a national level.
Vikas Tripathi, Additional Commissioner (Education) at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), expressed his support for the campaign, recognizing its vital role in educating students and society about the significance of air quality and solid waste management. Tripathi emphasized the transformative power of education and expressed pride in being associated with this initiative, as it empowers children to make sustainable choices and develop a sense of responsibility towards their surroundings.
Mugdha Jain, Country Lead (India) at the Clean Air Fund, emphasized the need for collaboration among various organizations to address air pollution. Jain lauded Sesame Workshop India Trust for its efforts to involve all segments of society and increase awareness, which she believes will motivate more individuals to actively participate in creating a sustainable environment.
Sonali Khan, Managing Trustee of Sesame Workshop India Trust, shared the organization's vision behind the "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" program. She expressed the goal of raising awareness and empowering children to actively support a cleaner and healthier environment. Utilizing engaging characters such as Chamki and Elmo, Sesame Workshop India Trust educates children about the environment in a fun and impactful way. Through collaborations with the Clean Air Fund and Lego, Sesame Workshop India Trust developed a progressive STEM-based environment curriculum tailored to address specific environmental issues faced by children in Delhi, enhancing their understanding and consciousness about the environment.
Sesame Workshop India Trust partnered with DPCC, 19 MCD schools, 14 low-cost private schools, and Delhi government's education department school, reaching and educating 4,000 children in Narela through the "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" program. The organization also utilized social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as YouTube, to connect with citizens in Delhi and build awareness about air pollution and waste management. The campaign's online efforts reached millions of people, with engaging content and informative videos tailored for children in Delhi.
Sesame Workshop India Trust's "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" program serves as a significant step toward creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious society, with children leading the way in fostering positive change.
