Witnessing a
Sea Change Celebration
In October, the WasteLess team attended the Sea Change Celebration at Arsha Vidya Mandir, a partner school using WasteLess programmes since 2013. The event marks the final part of the Sea Change programme, where students in grades six to eight share their projects on marine plastic pollution with peers, parents, and invited guests. The aim is not only to showcase their work but also to spread awareness to the wider community.
As a new volunteer with WasteLess, this was my first time attending such an event, and it felt truly special. It was inspiring to see the team's hard work come to life and to observe the students. Having recently finished high school myself, it was unusual to experience sitting in the audience rather than standing on the school’s stage.
After a warm welcome, the event started with a student-moderated stage performance. Reflecting on my own school experience, I was amazed by their advanced presentation skills and the programme’s smooth flow. It began with speeches from school teachers and invited guests (including Ribhu and Chandrah), who emphasized the importance of educating youth about global issues and raising awareness.
The real stars were the students presenting their group projects. From a panel discussion on corporate accountability for ocean pollution to a roleplay with adorable costumes, every segment of the show was prepared with a lot of effort and love.
Additionally, a video documenting their beach cleanup campaign was shown, where they collected plastics and engaged pedestrians by sharing information. The level of prior knowledge differed; however, it gave everyone the chance to rethink their own consumption and behaviour. A school principal, initially unaware of the extent, now plans to include environmental education in her school, which highlights the influence a single, small action can have.
Afterwards, we took a look at the classroom where different aspects of the curriculum were presented.
What impressed me most were the students' well-articulated presentations and their remarkable stamina in maintaining enthusiasm throughout the day. When we showed interest in their posters, presentations, games, and models, their faces lit up with pride in sharing their knowledge. One of my favourite activities was a magnetic game, illustrating how sea creatures mistake microplastics for plankton, which explained the danger to visitors in an engaging way.
After a rewarding but exhausting day, our visit ended with a group photo and Diwali sweets.
Looking back, I’m grateful to witness how WasteLess’ curriculum impacted both students and their communities. Speaking to students and teachers allowed me to understand that engaging materials naturally boost classroom participation.
One sentence from Nikita, a grade eight student, really stuck with me: "We have to help our world. We destroyed it with plastic and all. We are the ones who are responsible for it. So, we are the ones to help it.". Moreover, she told me: "I really think that introducing more schools to the Sea Change will actually help. Because if one school can actually make such a big difference then you have to imagine what schools all over the world can do.". I couldn't agree more.
- By Cara Jost, Weltwärts Volunteer
