Delta Park Grade 5 learner works hard for a cleaner environment
With starting a littler pick-up group, and installing save the environment posters around the school, Cole Murphy hopes to make a big difference, at the school at first, but then nation, and worldwide.
Delta Park Grade 5 learner Cole Murphy created a Save Our Planet poster and installed it around the school, in an effort to encourage the idea of a clean environment.
Cole explained that the poster is about trying to alert people about the danger of littering. He explained that one of the reasons he started is because there are rabbits and birds that live around the school, and they might eat the litter and get sick and die. Seeing the litter issues at the school, Cole decided to form a litter pick-up group, who have already started to pick up litter around the school. “Before I started my litter pick-up group, I selected a committee of people to lead. Also, I am there, to co-ordinate everything that happens.”
Read more: The Rocking Future Career Expo inspires Delta Park High School
He further stated that some people have been joining, but some people are not exactly responding as he would hope. “There are still some learners that we need to target, to make sure that they don’t become litter bugs. Right now, it’s just me and a group of Grade 4s and 5s.”
Cole further stated that he hopes to spread the initiative outside the school one day. “Right now, my main focus is here, because I don’t think I have enough supporters to start spreading out… Yet. My goal is a clean school, where no animal will die of litter eating, and maybe a clean neighbourhood.”
The initiative was inspired by his love for animals and the Children’s Bill of Rights, which states that children have a right to a clean environment. “I’m trying to uphold that right, because I don’t feel like it is being noticed. I love animals, but also there was this book that I looked at, about saving the planet, and I really liked the message it was sending. So, I wanted to continue to spread that message.
“We’re in the fight against littering. I know it won’t be easy; it will be very hard, especially convincing the kids. People have had this mindset for years, and every time a mindset gets changed, like in the crossing from stone age to iron age, it’s pretty hard.”
The young learner said he wishes to become president of South Africa one day, and start really fixing the problems.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
