Patricia and Thomas Hu, Eco Kids
Thomas Hu is a 6 year old with big solutions for problems with the environment. He is committed to the following:
- Reminding his mother to not use any plastic bags when they go shopping.
- He does not like it when people litter.
Patricia Hu is a 9 year old with grave concerns about the environment. She is committed to the following:
- Not carrying her sandwiches to school in a plastic bag.
- Reminding her mother to not use any plastic bags when they go shopping.
- Reminding and encouraging her brother not to take plastic bags to school.
Patricia and Thomas have instigated basic recycling rules into their daily life. Things like mindful consumption, looking at energy resources, stopped buying books and clothes; “we give ours away” and started a group that recycles things among themselves. They take food to school in their own tuppaware containers and use their own shopping bags when shopping. They swap books with classmates at school. They actively visited the public library to satisfy their curious minds. Their mum also swaps books with colleagues, which is so nice as different homes carry a very different book collection and it is therefore very rewarding for kids and adults alike.
Waste reduction: It’s a matter of attitude, everything has a price to pay, we need to be responsible and can then also be part of environmentalism.
Energy saving: We all of try to save energy this winter by wearing warm clothes and snuggling under a big blanket when reading books and watching TV. This saves on electricity by not switching on the heater. We try to avoid having bath in tub to save water. The family participated in the Earth Hour on 28 Mar 2009.
Patricia and Thomas were inspired by their mother Josephine to take action. She persisted in being a role model for the kids; making environmentalism accessible, and educating them on people’s attitudes and problem solving.
People can be inconsiderate and not conscious about the impact of their actions. They decided to take action one year ago.
At School they are learning the same things: uniform recycling, green teams at school, programmes for families – reminders sent home for food donations and giving shoes to the third world.
By practicing recycling, kids get to understand that we all have a duty to protect the environment. Thomas and Patricia are learning how they can simplify their lives in terms of their environmental impact.
The social effects of Thomas and Patricia’s awareness, is an expanding awareness with other children. As school children talk to and influence one another they then lead a life with respect for the environment and others.
Contact: woojose@gmail.com
