The three participating island schools marked International Day of Forests, World Water Day and World Meteorological Day. The events were celebrated at Malolo District School, Namamanuca Primary School and Mana SDA School respectively.
World Water Day is celebrated internationally every 22nd March. It is a day to focus on the importance of Water in our communities. The theme for 2017 World Water Day was “Wastewater”. Water is at the core of sustainable development. Water resources, and the range of services they provide, underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. International Day of Forests celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests every 21st March. The theme for this years International Day of Forests “Forest & Energy” is to highlight the importance of the different types of forest. Understanding Clouds is the theme of World Meteorological Day 2017 to highlight the enormous importance of clouds for weather climate and water. Clouds are central to weather observations and forecasts. Clouds are one of the key uncertainties in the study of climate change:
The celebrations were a half day program that began once the MES team arrived at the school. The program began with an opening prayer and welcome address by the Head teachers which was then followed by brief overview of each celebration by MES facilitator of the day. The respective chief guests relay their messages to the schools as presentation and demonstrations relating on the theme for each event.
The activities for the three schools were categorized in 3 categories with Kindergarten – Year 2 having drawings and colourings, Year 3 – 5 doing fashion parade, posters, making photo frames & models and Year 6 -8 preparing poems, speech and also creation of posters. “I am really happy about my prize and I sincerely thank MES and especially Goodman fielder for sponsoring our prizes” stated Talica Bawaqa of Namamanuca Primary School.
The various arts displays by the students proved that they are aware of the importance of sustainable management of resources, protection of resources for the benefit of their livelihood. The display consisted of the posters, photo frames, model making and costume parade by the students. Mr Sosiceni Dumukuro from the Meteorological Services added “Clouds play a vital role in regulating the Earth’s balance, climate and weather therefore we need to promote awareness to everyone in the region.”
The day culminated tree planting where time permits and refreshments. There were a total of 16 native and fruiting trees namely Vesi, Dilo, Tavola, Sour raspberry and Teak. Also planted were 30 fruiting and scented plants provided by the students. According to Mr Lui Manuel, Nadroga Navosa Conservation Officer who was guest speaker in Malolo District School commented on organised program. “The display items from coloring/drawings, posters, fashion parade, poems and speech were really creative and innovative boasting the theme” commented Mr Lui Manuel, Conservation officer “Their piece of displays portrays the young and create minds putting knowledge learned through formal education and through traditional knowledge in different forms and depicts the message in the themes of the International day of Forest. “Remember the body needs 2litres of water per day and more for active people “emphasizes Mr Ilaisa Latianara of Water Authority of Fiji to the students of Namamanuca Primary School.
The Mamanuca Environment Society would like to thank our partners and major sponsor Goodman fielder and Water Authority of Fiji, Fiji Meteorological Services, Nadroga Navosa Provincial office and Nadi Town Council for another successful event. Also we would like to say a big Vinaka Vakalevu to MES members, school management and the Vanua Lawa for your endless supports towards the all our school environment programs.
