Going Green

A Colourful Way to Go Green

Sifat Siddique

Volunteers at the plant stall.

Maple Leaf International School Green Club is a student activity Club, concerned with issues related to the environment, the impact of climate change and conservation. The Club was formed in the end of 2009, and has been organising events and workshops from then onwards to create awareness of the Global Climate change, to make the planet a better place to live in. Last February, the 170 member enriched club hosted a plant fair for the third time in two years. The club concentrated on different types of plants, like flowers, fruits, herbs, vegetable and lots more. The fair took place on February 27 and 28 at the school auditorium. The fair was financed by a loan from the school that was fully repaid by fund raising activities and proceeds from the fair. In total, 85 volunteers put their endless efforts to make the event a successful one.

"On a spring morning, it's a joy to watch so many colours in front of my eyes. The auditorium has never been so colourful before." said Mohaiminul Turzo, a guest at the plant fair and the president of the Maple Leaf Community Service Club.

In one corner, a mehendi stall was located, where girls of different ages joined the festival. Soft music kept the arena alive. Sudden visits from special guests enlightened the ambience. Colourful pots were available too and responsible volunteers were appointed as cashiers to make sure that the guests were treated cordially.

The different kinds of plants at the fair.

"It is wonderful to see young people so responsible in serving the community. Within two years, these teenagers will start to face challenges outside the four walls of the school, but for now they are making sure that the world does not face any challenge for Climate Change in the near future. I am very proud of them," said Md. Khairul Ahmed, a guest and an officer of a leading telecom company in Bangladesh.

The curtains of yet another successful project of the Green Club came down on March 2, by selling off the leftovers, raising funds for the upcoming projects of Maple Leaf International's biggest and most successful club.

(The Writer is an Advance Level student and a senior member of the Maple Leaf International School Writer's Club.)