UB and primary school students clean up the coast

Aside from participating in anti-crime initiatives, the University of Belize is involved in other social activities. Over the weekend, the UB students took the lead with primary school students in a cleanup campaign that started in the area of the lighthouse and spread to other areas of the city. And in the process, the younger students were mentored on the importance of recycling and preserving the environment. News Five’s Jose Sanchez also joined the go green campaign.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

Students of a University of Belize class are making their environmental footprint known by taking primary school students on a cleanup campaign in parts of Belize City.

Lily Liang

Lily Liang, Student, UB

“The purpose of this activity that we are doing here is to raise awareness to the public about the environmental impact and we are out here cleaning [and] picking up some garbage—helping the community and at the same time educating the children about the different recycling that they can do while picking up garbage. Even though there are garbage, there are different categories of garbage, such as: paper, plastic, metal, Styrofoam and all of those. So they are coming out here to get exposed and not just be in the class.”

They were not only being exposed to environmental techniques, they were also being influenced by the college students.

Jose Sanchez

“You’re also working with older students from UB. What is that experience like?”

Kenrick Graham

Kenrick Graham, Student

“It’s like a thing to make me think about what I can be when I get older. I can be helping just like the UB students; helping the kids to do what we are doing right now.”

Jose Sanchez

“Why is it important to clean up out here?”

Kenya Pou, Student

Kenya Pou

“Because some people lef things out yah that the lee pickney could play in the parks and get cut or something.”

Jose Sanchez

“And what about working with the students from UB. How did you enjoy this experience so far?”

Kenya Pou

“Good.”

Jose Sanchez

“What are some of the things you picked up?”

Anika Rash, Student

“Stoppers, plastics, foam.”

Anika Rash

Jose Sanchez

“And who are the people who you think actually throw the stuff out here? kids or adults?”

Anika Rash

“Adults.”

Jose Sanchez

“And does that set the right example?”

Anika Rash

“No.”

Jose Sanchez

“But what do you think about the example the UB students are setting coming out here with you today?”

Anika Rash

“They are setting a good example for the kids that grow up and lead the world.”

Jose Sanchez

“Tell me a little bit of what you’ve been picking up first?”

Triclyn Roches

Triclyn Roches, Student

“Well the different types of garbage like: glass, foams, bottles; all didferent types of garbage.”

Jose Sanchez

“Why is it important to be doing this clean up?”

Triclyn Roches

“Well to help the environment look clean.”

Jose Sanchez

“And the interaction with the students from UB is that the place you would like to go someday; looking at their example?”

Triclyn Roches

“Yes sir.”

Lily Liang

“We have about twenty-five kids out here with us and the areas that we are doing is San Cas Park and we are going to move along into Princess Margaret Parade and then the next area is the park on Albert Street. We are looking at four different areas so far. And in the class, we are asking different schools to participate and help us with this. It is about taking the initiative to actually be aware and be willing to actually pick up the garbage, come out and clean up the community and also educate our young ones about not littering and not polluting the environment.”

Jose Sanchez

“What do you think of what you are doing out here today? Why is it important?”

Kenrick Graham

“I think it is important to help reduce the global warming of our country and the whole world. So the ice can stop melting in the South Pole and North Pole. We don’t want a big flood.”

The students intend to save the environment by picking up one piece of garbage at a time.  Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.