SUSTAINABILITY- SPREADING THE WORD; NOV. 2012

A spoilt book page.

With my school located in one of the so called consumption world countries, where people buy and through away, buy and throw away (Severn Cullis-Suzuki, 1992), the talk about sustainability is thought, by majority as a topic about another country, another continent. Nevertheless, Switzerland is one of the countries in which recycling is well organized and coordinated. However, people have more than they need because it is unheard-off to try and tell people how much to buy. In addition, many people do not like reusing things. Therefore, we have a shortage in action in 2 of the triple Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). Well, my views may be subject to correction since I am basing them on my school, Aiglon College, and my personal obervations for the 14 months that I have lived in Switzerland.

After the conference, I was keen to implement the CAS project proposed by GAT P, which was Spreading the Word. To begin with, I secured a chance to speak to the whole school, to bring their attention to the need for sustainability. On the 2^Nd Nov 2012, I delivered the speech (whose theme was Sustainability) to the whole school. This was my starting point.

 

A spoilt book page

At present, I have had discussions with the Aiglon College headmaster about an issue that I think is very anti-sustainability. The issue is use of textbooks. In my school there has been a tendency not to lend books but to buy new books for every other incoming class. Although high costs are incurred each year, this is not my main worry. My concern is the way students use these books. Every student highlights, colours and writes all over their books. This renders the books useless after just one student’s use.  In addition, students throw these books away after one year, which I consider a misuse of limited resources. Therefore, I am trying to negotiate with students, teachers and administration to change the way books are used here; to ensure that books are not spoilt and thus they are available for other students.






Abandoned spoilt books

I do hope that my fight against this environmentally unfriendly behaviour will yield fruits. In addition, considering that my school is an international school, I am committed to get everyone aware of the importance of sustainability; so that everyone can spread the effect to all more than 40 countries represented here. I would greatly appreciate if anyone gave me some piece of advice on how to fight this battle effectively.

Reference:
Severn Cullis-Suzuki's by juango5. (2011). The Girl Who Silenced the World for 6 Minutes. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ep_8SLQh0&feature=related. Last accessed 24Th Nov 2012.

 

CAS IN SEPTEMBER: ABOVE THE ALPS.

The target for the weekend 22Nd-23Rd September 2012 was to 'View the Alps from Above'. Climbing Dent Du Morcles, one of the highest peaks in the Alps(2696 Metres altitude), was the goal we had set as a house-Belvedere House. The total number of participants was 49 students and 4 staff members.

The first day included a short walk to a 'doortrois' where we were to spend the night. That first day was very important since we were briefed on safety in the mountains by mountain guides; this was very essential for the following day. We gathered as team and did indoor games and also chat about our next day's expectations.

Waking up at 7.00 am on Sunday-23Rd September, we set off for the peak; 53 people, as a house, as a team and one body. We needed each other's ecnouragement and support to make it.

After around 6 hours we got to the peak. We sweat, we rested, we pulled each other's hands and we enouraged each other. But we made it to the top of Dent Du Morcles; all 53 of us. The view of the Alps from the top was amazing, a worth prize for our long struggle.

I learnt that unity is strength. Even the least athletic House Members made it to the top due to the enthusiastic encouragement and support from the rest. We worked as a team and therefore I improved my ability to exercise teamwork, going at the pace of the slowest member and having a common goal. I also strengthened my ability to endure challenges in life.

Therefore, I feel that I am ready to encouter any challenges in life, to work as a member of a team and to support others who need assistance. This was an amazing experience for me. Long live the Alps.

CAS IN AUGUST: SERVICE IN SBC.

Straight after the IBWSC conference, I placed my letter of aplication to the Starehe Boys' Centre(SBC) director, seeking a chance to do voluntary service over the August month. 

SBC, a charitable institution giving holistic education to needy, bright students all over Kenya, is located 0.5 miles from downtown Nairobi. I am an alumni of SBC(From 2006-2011)

Upon my request's approval I started working on the 6Th August and Finished on the 29Th August, the day I was travelling back to school-Aiglon College, Switzerland.

 

Within those three and a half weeks, I met and worked with people of different capacities in Nairobi city. I did, among other things, data computing for admissions in SBC-2013 intake, I went for errands all over the city and I showed visitors arround the campus. I thus got the chance to work with a great range of people: School Prinipals, students and even non-teaching staff.

I was nostalgic to leave SBC on 29Th August.

 

Nevertheless, the lessons I leant from this experience, I believe, will be fundamental for my future career life. I leant the importance of being puntual, task oriented and acting in a professional manner. Working without supervision accompanied by the expectation and necessity to produce excellent results is another great lesson that I learnt from this experience.  

But above all, this experience added much meaning and value to my life. I was very happy to get this chance to give back to the society that which it has given me.

I am one person who, in his lifetime, has benefitted much from the society. Starting with a Scholarhsip to SBC, a scholarship to Aiglon College and even the wonderful IBWSC Scholarhip, I feel that I owe much to the world.

It is for this reason that I plan to plant trees in my life, trees under whose shade I do not plan to lie.

FRIDAY; 27Th July 2012

The GAT: P Group

How the five days have elapsed is something beyond my understanding. Sunday arrivals looks just like yesterday. Monday and Tuesday were full of introduction and making new friends; friends with whom we would share a lot about sustainability, about the IB and about life in general.

With New Friends At The Beach

This has been the best learning forum because we had a lot of fun beside the tight sharing and interaction sessions in Global Action Team(GAT) groups and the speeches. The IBWSC Vancouver World Cup was such fun that I played everyday, every game. How much fun!

With New Friends At The Beach

For me, this week has been an experience of its kind. I learned a lot, especially about sustainability. I got the opportunity to visit some of the most spectacular places in Vancouver, like the beach and the Vancouver Aquarium. By myself, I would not have ever afforded such an opportunity. Thus I would like to specially thank the Oxford Study Courses for this spectacular chance. I am also very grateful to all those who made it possible for me to attend this 2012 IBWSC Vancouver; May you be blessed in all that you do.




I feel very much indebted to you all, the UBC and the IB Organization for the nice treatment I have received in my time; and I shall strive in all my little ways to enable others enjoy the same advantage in the future. I don't want to leave UBC, I don't want to leave my nice friends, I don't miss home!

THURSDAY; 26Th July 2012.

The IBWSC Participants Going On-board

... The day ended with the lifetime experience in the cruise ship. Many of us had never taken a cruise in their life! Coupled with the cruise dance, it then became an 'Heaven on Earth'! Nothing like it before.

Sunset At Vancouver Coastline- Taken from the Ship.

I can't believe it is Friday morning. I have made so many friends from around the globe( like from the USA, Singapore, Ecuador, Venezuela, China, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria...The List is endless). A strong bond it has become within these few days! I don't want to part with all of you so soon; I don't miss tomorrow.

From Aboard

Nordiques- The Feared Soccer Team

But one thing remains significant to me: I now realize that I am not the only one in the world who cares about sustainability. With all these friends who have a passion for making the world a better place, then we can revolutionize the world in sustainability.







Starting with me, and then you, and then each of us starting a ripple-effect; we can make this world the place where we want the future generations to be. Change begins with me/us.

THURSDAY; 26Th JULY 2012.

In The Flower Garden- After The Canopy Walk

 Vancouver has such a spectacular environment- the green trees all over, the nice coastline, the fresh air...; a place where one would wish to belong to forever and ever. Our fourth day started with the amazing speech by Robert Winson. To get the opportunity to listen to the UBC Alumni is by itself a big honor. It was a great speech.

With Friends In The Vancouver Aquarium

'Spreading The Word'was chosen to be our GAT group topic of presentation. We believe that this should be the first point of attaining sustainability. It involves getting informed at a personal level, getting to know what your neighbour thinks about sustainability and then uniting as one body with a common goal to reach out to the world and preach the 'sustainability gospel'.



We believe the individual is very important in sustainability and one should initiate a ripple-effect as a starting point.

Amazing Aquatic Life

The Vancouver Aquarium visit was one of its kind and the nice picnic topped it up. The Variety of aquatic life on earth shocked me and we learned that; what they have there is just a tip of the ice-berg!!

The Beluga Whales!!!

Thank you very much to all those who made it possible for the IBWSC Vancouver delegates to have such an experience. ...

WEDNESDAY; 25Th July 2012.

With Severn Cullis-Suzuki

Talk of pioneering the start of  sustainability starting with 'the individual' concerned and the name Severn Cullis-Suzuki comes into your mind. I was totally inspired by her speech of 1992 in the UN summit. I was persuaded to try to take action towards sustainability on a personal basis. And what is more?; she has lived her passion for the 20 years since then.

The Nordiques Team- Amazing.

Today, the GAT: P was particularly amazing. Explaining sustainability without using words or speech needed much creativity. An idea about the Ripple Effect seemed amazing. It showed how the individual starts engaging in sustainability and then the effect spreads all over to communities beyond. Therefore we got to understand that change begins with us.



The IBWSC World Cup Soccer tournament went to another level with the finals due to be played on Friday. While  I am not sure whether my team shall be fortunate enough to take part in the finals, I am very proud of my valued contribution to make the Nordigues Team so wonderful (with my score for the last game being 7goals of the 8 goals)

The Memorable Kutapira Dance

The day ended at a joyful note with the priceless entertainment from the Kutapira Dance Group. What a talent!! We all had fun and we  really danced to exhaustion. Thank you very much.

One Of The 'Greenest Houses' On Earth

The IBWSC, Vancouver is just amazing; an experience not to be missed. We couldn't be in a better place today. Special thanks to all the  organizers of this wonderful event. 

TUESDAY; 24Th July 2012.

With Some of My New Friends

Second day already over?; I can't believe it! The fun we are having here makes the moments pass so swiftly! Right from the start of the day with the delicious breakfast, then the amazing speeches and the wonderful GAT group sessions; not forgetting the IB World Cup matches- then a day is just a wink and a blink of an eye.

The Amazing IBWSC Word Cup Venue

On The Soccer Pitch

Today, I had a lot of fun. The Singing Session was just wholesome. I was nominated to teach the singing group a Swahili song. This song is called "Hakuna Matata", which means ' There is no problems'. It is a very favorite song that is taught to all our visitors in Kenya. So, when I stood at the front of the IB delegates in the CIRS theater, I was overwhelmed with the joy of having the chance to share my culture with all the IB delegates.


The GAT group (GAT: P) is just amazing. We get to share our views about sustainability in an involved and an interactive environment. Today we brainstormed about how we would introduce a sustainability strategy and action process in our communities back home. I am so happy to be learning about sustainability and how important it is in our modern society. Amazing, too, is the fact that all the categories of sustainability(political, environmental, social,...) are inter-related and none of them can work without the other.

I learned a very important quote today, "The world is run by those who turn up". I think this quote shall have a significant effect on my life and shall enable me 'make hay while the sun shines'.

MY SINCERE GRATITUDE

Excited About Canada

Attending the IBWSC in Vancouver, Canada??!! This is a dream-come-true! There is no better, an educational forum than this! Talk about the IB values' development, about internationalism, about networking and global-thought-stimulation, about ...! All the latter is plenty in the IBWSC. Therefore, I am very excited to be part of this positively-impacting global conference.

 I am in-deed very grateful to the  Oxford Study Courses  for offering me this lifetime opportunity to attend the IB World Students' Conference in Vancouver this year. This is a price-less opportunity for me to learn about Sustainability in depth, make new global friends and learn much more about the IB as a global educational institution.

Arrival At Vancouver International Airport.

I have been very excited straight form the first time I learned that I had been offered this chance to attend the conference; I have impatiently yearned for the kick-off of the conference. But although it almost took an eternity, here we are at  last and the first day is already gone! So far, I can say IT IS AMAZING!

Our Amazing Residence For The IBWSC Week

Therefore, I make it my personal responsibility, to make absolute positive use of this golden opportunity; so as to enable others to enjoy the same advantage in the future. This, I think, will foster sustainability.