Reported by: Nathania Karina Anggraini, Johanna Gracia Sunarno, Ni Wayan Dina Wiantari, and Vanessa Lee
Eco4Shore visited SMPN 9 Denpasar to educate students about the harms of single-use plastic and its impact on underwater ecosystems. This event was in collaboration with Mudfish No Plastic, an Indonesian NGO dedicated to educating children about plastic pollution.
1. Key Takeaways
- Understanding Plastic Pollution:
Students learned about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and human health. With Mudfish No Plastic’s collaboration, we highlighted how animals like mudfish and turtles are endangered due to plastic waste. Our honorary speaker, Uti from Mudfish No Plastic, explained how microplastics can enter our bodies, posing health risks. This emphasized that stopping plastic pollution is crucial for everyone’s well-being. - Avoiding Single-Use Plastics:
The session underscored the importance of avoiding single-use plastics, which are major contributors to marine pollution. Mudfish No Plastic demonstrated how easily disposable items like plastic bottles, straws, and food packaging can be replaced with reusable alternatives. Many students already used alternatives such as lunch boxes and water bottles.
2. Main Highlights
- Date: Tuesday, October 15th
- Location: State Junior High School 9 Denpasar, Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.177, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
- Organizer: Eco4Shore, with co-organizer Mudfish No Plastic
- Participants: Grade 7 students of State Junior High School 9 Denpasar
- Number of Participants: 360 students
3. Activities implemented
a. Opening remarks from Eco4Shore: Eco4Shore introduced the organization and played an ice-breaking game with students before starting the session with Mudfish No Plastic.
b. Welcoming dance and song from Mudfish No Plastic.
Mudfish No Plastic performed a song and dance themed around saying no to plastic for the sake of beautiful beaches and oceans. Everyone danced and sang together to kick off the socialization.
c. Honorary speaker from Mudfish No Plastic, Kak Uti! Kak Uti from Mudfish No Plastic engaged students with questions, fun quizzes, and games, making the topic of marine plastic pollution interactive and understandable.
d. Ending dance and closing remarks: The event concluded with another dance to the Mudfish No Plastic song and closing remarks.
4. Outcome
Students who actively participated by answering questions and showcasing their dancing skills were rewarded with water bottles from Mudfish No Plastic and metal straws from Eco4Shore.
