THAI SCHOOL CHILDREN AND FAO STAFF SWEAT TOGETHER TO REFOREST DEGRADED AREA IN KANCHANABURI

摘要

On a hot Saturday in September 2010, a degraded forest in Kanchanaburi province in Thailand was "invaded" by rag-tag groups dressed in green T-shirts. These active and environmentally-minded people were local schoolchildren and staff from FAO. The one-day tree planting excursion kicked off a larger initiative on forestry education for youth called "Kids-to-Forests." In the early morning of 11 September, about 25 FAO staff and associated family members embarked on a 3-hour bus ride to Kanchanaburi province. Students from several classes of a collaborating school waited for them. The main objective of the day was very clear: plant tree seedlings in the adjacent degraded forest - and do so in an interactive way. Special green t-shirts were produced for the occasion. Participating youths from the International School Bangkok organized ice-breaking games to foster friendship from the very beginning. The Thai school children on their side, most aged between 5 and 14 years, were very enthusiastic. During the tree-planting activity itself, 2-children teams were linked with an FAO staff, who guided the work and highlighted the importance of trees and forests. Altogether approximately 1,200 trees were planted within a few hours. The trip also included a visit to the students' school, and the beautiful green surroundings.