Young Green Ambassadors: How A Social-Impact Leader Is Helping Youngsters Grow Green Fingers
Children across the country are now growing greens at home during the pandemic. This is a positive development.
Hafiz Khan, founder of E-Zone was the first to create the programme. He and Edward Eltham guide children through the production process while instilling positive developmental and behavioural traits. "Children can plant microgreens in their windows and balconies with any seeds they have at home. This initiative aims to build a network of green ambassadors who are responsible for their environment. Positive change is more beneficial when it's inculcated early on. This is why these sessions are being offered to help us start the cycle," Hafiz says.
Hafiz is an experiential learning facilitator, and started this in order to raise public awareness about the environment through active participation of citizens, particularly children. Over the past 14 years, E-zone has conducted numerous training programs and team building events, employment engagement events, awareness drives, and other activities.
More than 2,000 children from India participated in the microgreens project. It was run jointly by Ezone India (a Chennai-based company that promotes environmental awareness) Hafiz Khan led a CSR initiative called CommuniTREE in 2015 under E-zone, who is a social impact leader who has pledged to create "man-made forest" in different parts of Bengaluru and Chennai. "We have planted almost 5 lakh trees in these two cities since 2018. The seeds were purchased from individuals, institutions and universities. Khan explains that we used to ask them to plant the seeds wherever possible."
One Sapling at a time
Khan has been focusing his efforts on teaching children how to grow trees even within their own homes during the recent pandemic. Sessions are held over WhatsApp twice daily for 120 children. They cover common herbs and plants such as mint and fenugreek to provide holistic education beyond book learning and school lessons. Khan says, "The goal is to teach them how to grow plants from common seeds that can be found in their kitchens." The training course is rigorous and lasts 15 days. The daily schedule is designed so that children can learn how to grow multiple types of plants. Khan and his team were delighted to see the children share photos of their plants via WhatsApp. It's encouraging to see that parents take pride in their children's efforts. Some of them even took to planting trees. Khan says that certificates are sent to families and children for taking part in the course.
These young farmers have tiny pots, repurposed ice cream boxes and recycled plastic bottles filling their homes. They also have delivery bowls containing microgreens flouring products.
Children love DIY lessons. This has led to a new generation of people who are more aware of nutrition, the environment, and sustainable food production. These children see a bright future. Education does not mean just reading books and lessons. Learning something new is a large part of education. This should be a more holistic experience. It is something you can be involved in and grow as it grows.
Hafiz says that he was inspired by the realization that many children had never touched soil before and that he wanted to keep this drive going. These sessions can often lead to a more humble, grounded attitude in the children. Children can see the cycle of food through a newer lens and with this understanding comes a sense of respect, patience and responsibility, which is invaluable,” he concludes.