(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Green Alliance and Salesian programs around the globe joined the global initiative, World Cleanup Day on Sept. 15. According to the World Cleanup Day website, the initiative was launched 10 years ago in Estonia when 4 percent of the country’s population cleaned the entire country of illegally dumped waste in a matter of hours. Millions of people worldwide learned from that example and began to launch ambitious “one country, one day” projects.

The initiative’s “Let’s Do It! World” motto spread across the globe since its initial inception and millions of volunteers are now cleaning up trash, waste and other debris. This year, World Cleanup Day reports that 155 countries and more than 13 million people were involved in local cleanup projects. The day has inspired people to collaborate to make a significant impact in their own communities. It also builds bridges between local citizens, businesses and government.

World Cleanup Day harnesses the power of everyday people to achieve incredible things by joining together. More than just actively taking part in projects, the day is also used to “raise global awareness and implement lasting changes to end the global waste epidemic, once and for all.”

The Don Bosco Green Alliance actively promoted the day among its members, encouraging Salesian institutions across the world to organize cleanup activities either on their own campuses or in their neighborhoods.  Responding to this invitation, several Salesian institutions rallied youth to participate in various activities on that day.

The Salesian Dominic College, located in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia, launched an innovative cleanup event to coincide with its daily fitness program. A “plogging” (picking up garbage while jogging) event was organized which was enjoyed by the students. In addition, throughout the day, students looked for areas around the college that needed cleaning. To build awareness, students also watched a series of short clips online, followed by classroom discussions.

At the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Ashaiman, Ghana, students organized cleanup activities and awareness programs. Kenneth Dodzi Anlonyah, who coordinated the day’s program said, “We are very grateful to the Father Krzysztof Nizniak (Africa Provincial Economer) for his support during these activities. His involvement was a great morale booster to propel us forward.”

Several cleanup activities were also held in Salesian programs across India. In Coimbatore, Don Bosco Anbu Illam and Don Bosco School of Excellence conducted a week-long World Cleanup Day program and concluded it on Sept. 15 with a public campaign in the Gandhipuram and Ukkadam bus stations in Coimbatore. In the city of Baroda, Don Bosco Snehalaya involved youth in cleaning up some of the public areas near the institution.

In Mumbai, GreenLine, a Salesian environmental organization, involved more than 300 students from six schools in the city to cleanup areas on the Dadar, Mahim and Juhu beaches. All these cleanup activities helped to educate the students on proper waste disposal and the need to work for a cleaner planet.

The Don Bosco Green Alliance is an international collective of youth from Salesian institutions and organizations that contributes to global environmental action, thought and policy. The alliance focuses on creating an environment that is safe and caring for all life on the planet while raising up a new generation of environmentally committed citizens and leaders.

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Sources:

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ANS – RMG – Salesian Institutions Participate in World Cleanup Day

World Cleanup Day