Admission charged in plastic bottle caps to focus on recycling

(MissionNewswire) Students in sixth grade at the Salesian Colégio Castelo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, participated in a short film project known as the CINE Castelo Project. The project included production of a short film, and its launch helped to raise awareness about recycling and care for animals. Students developed skills in planning and problem solving during the process, which was coordinated by teachers Mariúcha Correa and Thaynara Brasil.

A Salesian noted, “Admission was charged in plastic bottle caps, encouraging the participation of the school community and raising awareness about the importance of recycling. The bottle caps collected were donated to the Tampinhas do Bem Project, which transforms this material into resources for spaying or neutering abandoned animals, thus controlling the pet population.”

At an awards ceremony, the project leaders Élida Alves, a veterinary assistant, and Cida Ferreira, a teacher and social worker, thanked the students and emphasized the importance of this initiative. They highlighted the effects of reducing animal suffering and the population of stray animals. Ferreira said, “It is a great satisfaction to carry out these actions because we know how spaying and neutering helps prevent other forms of mistreatment, such as abandonment.”

In addition to emphasizing the importance of caring for animals, Ferreira explained how this care is also linked to people’s well-being. She explained, “We are not only helping animals and the environment, but we are also helping people, because there is always a human being involved in this process. In this way, the project representatives demonstrated to the students that small individual actions can generate a great positive impact on society.”

According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Brazil with poverty tripling in 2021. Nearly 17 million people fell into poverty in the first quarter of the year and the poverty rate now is higher than it was a decade ago. Researchers estimate that 12.8% of Brazil’s population, some 27 million people, are now living below the poverty line.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – 6th grade students at Colégio Castelo carry out a solidarity action by collecting bottle caps

Salesian Missions – Brazil

World Bank – Brazil