Name of School : NAVY CHILDREN SCHOOL

Address : Airport Road ,Dabolim ,Vasco, Goa

Name of Students (core team) : DEEPJYOT AHLUWALIA,MADHAV M ANAND, SHLOKA PANDEY, SPARSHI MATTAS, SONU S .VEGLEKAR [NCS GREEN TEAM]

Name of Mentor Teacher: JASPINDER KAUR

Tel./Mob. : 9890531027/7798889766 E-mail : sanchianand4u@gmail.com

Give a title to your story of change: JAGRITI

The week in which it was implemented: FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2012

Q1. List the situations/problems in your school/community that bother you.Ans. These issues of our school and community were suggested by students of Navy Children School, Goa:

Stray dog menace in school. Water/soil pollution in and around the city. Garbage disposal in and around the city. Poor condition of the Vaddem Lake in the city.

Q2. Who was affected by the situation/problem and what did they say?Ans. On examining each of these issues in detail, we realized that most of these problems affected the larger community of the city itself, not just the school community. The students and staff of the school being members of the city were naturally also affected by these problems. All these issues had been taken up regularly by the local press and also by citizens groups. They all felt that these problems could only be solved by legislative action and involvement of the highest rung of government.

Q3. State the problem you chose and why you chose it.Ans. After much deliberation, the students chose to take up the issue of the Vaddem Lake. The rationale behind the choice was as follows –

The Lake lies at the heart of the city and its location gives it a high visibility value. It becomes a focus of attention during festive seasons when it is lit up with fairy lights

and ornate centre pieces. There is a large residential area surrounding the lake on three sides and a main city

arterial road on the fourth side, making it an issue which affects a substantial number of people in the city.

The lake is highly polluted with both solid waste as well as sewage lines draining into it. It gives out a stench and has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The poor lighting around the lake makes it a hazard and a place for anti-social activities. This is an issue which could be tackled at the local administration level.

Q4. List the different solutions you came up with and which one did you choose to implement and why?Ans. The students suggested the following solutions to the problem –

Fund raising for purchasing garbage bins for the Vaddem Lake area. Taking out an awareness rally in the area. Approaching civic authorities.

Finally it was decided to adopt a multi-pronged approach to the problem. This included an observation visit and speaking to local residents, approaching the civic bodies, involving the local MLA, and finally creating a people’s movement.(A detailed report of the actions undertaken is attached)

THIS IS OUR STORY OF CHANGE

What began a week ago on 1st Sept 2012 as a project entry in the Riverside Design For Change Contest, has become a pet project of NCS, Goa.

STEP- I : FEEL

In the first phase of this project, the school students brainstormed and selected a worthy cause towards which they felt they could make a genuine difference. After much deliberation, the children decided to take up the cause of the Vaddem Lake in Vasco town which is in urgent need of cleanliness and a facelift. The students felt that the Lake, if promoted as such, could become a community recreation point.

Once the project was identified, the students went on an observation visit to the lake, examining closely its current state, the sources of pollution and then also gathering the views of the local residents. Armed with their observation notes, the kids then discussed the next plan of action

.

STEP- II : IMAGINE: The third phase saw a group of students having a meeting with the MLA of Vasco, Mr. Carlos, the Chief Officer of Municipal Corporation of Murmagoa, Mr. Agnelo Fernandes and Father Jose A. Costa from the St.Andrew’s Church who are the owners of the Lake, on Sept 3rd . The children interviewed the authorities and received valuable inputs about the issues related to the lake. Heartened by the encouragement and support extended to them, the students prepared for the next step towards their goal.

STEP-III :DO

In order to collect funds for the entire project, the students decided to raise the money through donations during a Musical Night which was being conducted in the school by our own students. The project was able to collect Rs.1060/- which was used for making banners and posters.

In the next phase, on 4th Sept, the students reviewed the steps taken thus far and prepared banners, SMS messages and posters for the awareness campaign that they were planning. The children took care to ensure the minimum use of paper in this campaign and to spread the message of using eco-friendly Ganesh idols for immersion in the lake.

On 5th Sept, taking some time out of the Teacher’s Day celebrations in school, the team continued it’s preparations for the Rally which was planned for the next day. This also included a discussion on how the rally would take place.

In the 5th phase of the project which commenced on 6th Sept, the team held a rally in the vicinity of the lake in order to create awareness about the importance of keeping the lake clean. The students of Stds VI & VII who participated sent SMSs to local residents and owners of commercial enterprises in the area. They took out a procession around the lake. The rally got an excellent response from all those who were in the area with many assurances of support. MLA of Dabolim, Mauvin Godinho was also present on the occasion and assured the students that he would address the issue on a priority basis. They came away from the rally with an appointment to meet the MLA on Tuesday, 11th Sept to discuss the matter in more detail.As promised by the MLA, he gave them time and discussed the issue in detail with the team that met him. During the discussion he assured the students that swift and definite action would be taken to clean and beautify the Vaddem Lake. The children were thrilled by the response they got from the MLA and looked forward to seeing the changes.

The authorities soon swung into action and within a matter of a couple of weeks the citizens of Vasco were delighted to see a rapid transformation of the Vaddem Lake. A concrete walk-way, protective fencing, benches, anti-littering notices and a cleaning drive have all been put in place.

This brings to fruition the initiative taken by the students of Navy Children School, Goa to bring positive change to the larger community.

The project has helped the students not only to understand the finer aspects of the working of civic bodies, but also the impact of people’s movements. It has helped to empower them and increase their confidence. It has been a tremendous journey of discovery for the children and a true design for change for the citizens of Vasco-da-Gama.

SHARED WITH THE MEDIA – THE NAVHIND TIMES REPORT

In the follow-up observation visit, the students learnt from the local residents that the stench has disappeared. There is a marked reduction in the mosquitoes in the area. They are very happy with the bright lighting and comfortable benches which have helped to make it a popular community centre. Although more has to be done, this is a positive step towards real change

The youtube link which includes the interview with the MLA of Dabolim ,Vasco will be forwaded later as there are some technical problems in the school today.

Thank you for your support and wonderful ideas which encouraged us to bring about such a beautiful change in our society . Now we will start project in our school to bring wonderful changes.

With regards: Jaspinder Kaur (program co-ordinater)