I participated in three of the weekly community clean-up drives organized by the school outside of the campus premises. The first site was on the precipice of a local river. I was dismayed at the sight of trash flowing into the very water body that provided potable water to thousands of homes in Surat. People who frequented the river often along with nearby residents seemed unbothered by the uncleanliness and almost apathetic despite being cognizant of the ramifications long-term littering can have on the environment. The second site of the drive was the infamous Dumas beach, a common hotspot for both, visitors and garbage. Traversing through the camel-imprinted sand, we encountered one plastic bottle after the next. The vendors had turned careless disposal of plastic waste into a ritualistic practice that they refused to retract. Nevertheless, despite these hurdles, I am glad I could contribute towards making Surat a healthier, cleaner, and greener city – in whatever capacity I could!
Learning Outcome 4: Show commitment and perseverance in CAS experience
Waking up at 6:30 in the morning on a Sunday is no easy feat for any IB student. There were several times I wanted to skip the drive and indulge in the lethargic slumber one falls into during the weekend. However, I knew that my time was not being wasted in a monotonous activity and rather was being utilized in making dutiful contributions to an impact-inducing cause. Even when doing on-site cleaning I ensured that I was efficient in my garbage collection and cleaned an entire area before moving onto the next. Participating in this experience with my friends made it all the more enjoyable.
Learning Outcome 6: Engaging with issues of global significance
Aligning well with the 6th SDG Goal: Clean Water and Sanitation, plastic waste collection is an essential step towards conserving and maintaining water bodies in urban settings. Community clean-up drives are a vital way to engage with global issues such as environmental sustainability, public health, and social responsibility. By tackling local waste pollution, these efforts contribute to broader global environmental goals, like reducing waste and preventing ecosystem degradation.
Learning Outcome 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
It is essential to acknowledge and take into account the morality of decisions and actions when taking part in beach and riverbank trash cleanup initiatives. These places are shared public areas that demand shared responsibilities in addition to being essential ecosystems. Protecting these natural ecosystems from pollution and degradation brought on by human activity is an ethical obligation for both people and communities. Participating in clean-up campaigns shows a dedication to protecting the environment and the welfare of coming generations.
