EAST WATER HELPS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF WATER RESOURCES TO EASTERN YOUTHS
Recently, about 300 children from 60 schools in the Rayong province took part in the East Water Young Leader Camp to learn about how to preserve water resources. East Water, which is officially known as Eastern Water Resources DevelopTEACHING ment and Management PLC, organised the event throughout CHILDREN August to promote the potential of TO BECOME local youths in becoming a future AGENTS force for preserving water FOR CHANGES resources. In the camp, schoolchildren and their teachers learned about sources of water, water resources, water management and the importance of water preservation. Also, the children were given a good opportunity to practice their leadership skills and to work together as a team. They also learned how to strengthen their teams through fun-filled activities of experimental learning. “Water is an important issue, and it’s getting increasingly essential in the future,” says Praphan Asava-aree, president of East Water. “The children could learn from where water comes, how difficult it is to get water, what can pollute water, and how to preserve water for the future. This kind of knowledge helps the children value water and become an important force in preserving water resources when they grow up,” he said.
“I will use the knowedge in improving the quality of water in my school. There is a pond at the back of the school where my seniors often discard container. I will campaign against throwing trash into water. It should go into the rubbish bin instead,” he said.
“The children could learn from where water comes, how difficult it is to get water, what can pollute water, and how to preserve water for the future. This kind of knowledge helps the children value water and become an important force in preserving water resources when they grow up,” he said.
One teacher who observed the youth camp pointed to its benefits to her schoolchildren. “This camp for youths can help spark their thoughts of preserving water. Also, children can learn about life lessons from direct experiences at the camp,” says Sommai Pongphak, who is fondly called “Teacher Nong” by her students at Wat Pathumkawas School in Rayong’s Ban Khai district.
The young participants and their teachers praised the East Water Young Leader Camp as useful and effective. “The camp really made us see the value of water,” says Krittima “Nong Pui” Kongprawet, a ninth-grader from Chamkho Pitthayakom School. She said preservation efforts should begin at home. “The first thing is, we begin with ourselves. We learn how useful water is, and then we go home and start with people close to us.” “For example, my family has running water at home. We just stop allowing water to overflow while washing dishes or clothes. Next, I tell my friends at school. I will share with my friends what I learned from the camp. I will tell them that we are lucky to have running water as many people have no access to it,” she said.
“The children could take part in activities with other participants who at first were complete strangers. They shared their experiences and learned that in real life they have to live with other MOBILIZING people and have to share with COMMUNITIES others,” the teacher said.
FOR RAYONG’S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Another student joining the camp, Pradit “Nong Boss” Mata, who is a seventh-grader from Makutmueang Rajawithayalai School, also was impressed by the activities at the camp. “This camp was full of fun. I learned about how to take care of water, to develop sources of water and to preserve the value of waterways,” said the schoolboy.
Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Public Company Limited
“It was a very good environment for children to practice. They could learn from real experiences. They became brave when speaking, to work and to express themselves. They could develop leadership skills and learn how to be a good follower. They learned they cannot live alone. t’s just like preserving water; you can’t do it by yourself” she said. Aware of the fact that today’s youths are the community’s future, East Water and Rayong’s authorities, led by provincial governor Chidpong Ritthiprasat, organised the EWG Family Day in the eastern seaboard province on October 3rd. The event was aimed at encouraging communities to offer a helping hand to their young graduates from the training course. There was an exhibition of works by the children and a certificate and scholarship presentation ceremony. Also present at the event to congratulate the children were their families, teachers, school administrators, and representatives from state agencies and local communities in Rayong.