Hygiene and Recycling Communication Materials Development

This project uses a combination of collaboration, capacitation, and curriculum development to support environmental education in schools.

To begin, organisers carry out a process of research to identify organisations that are involved in environmental projects such as working with waste materials to make art works or saleable products and gardening using waste. They then meet with relevant local authorities and organisations to explain and discuss the project.

The project focuses on already-existing youth networks as a context to carry out its training and media creation activities. Organisers identify schools in the region where youth clubs have been formed, selecting youth from the clubs and setting up training workshops. Two sets of workshops are conducted per group in an effort to support the small and local media generation in the form of plays, posters, songs, and materials made from waste. Youth learn to create and disseminate appropriate messages that promote hygiene and waste disposal. For example, participants learn how to write short plays in English and Zulu. An environmental health day highlights these youth-generated media products.

Based on this experience, organisers are working to develop curricula for both training in environmental education and creating action media. They also hope to document the process, challenges, and impact of the project.

Youth, Environment, Health, Sustainable Development.