CFP Indonesia

   In Indonesia which has a large population, the disappearance of important coastal zones that support the country’s economy has become a serious problem in recent years. The damage is the largest on Java Island, where more than 50% of the total population lives, and especially those living along the coast of Demak Regency in Central Java are considered to be the biggest victims of coastal erosion.

   Coastal areas such as Bedono and Timbulsloko Villages, where OISCA operates, frequently encounter a local flood called Rob, phenomenon in which seawater invades inland areas as sea levels rise at high tide. Even schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program in the coastal area suffered serious damage, for example, Timbulsloko No. 1 elementary school, seawater flows in at high tide almost every day, and at high tide, flood damage occurs even in the classroom of the right-side school building which is not raised.  In addition, the school has only one existing toilet for teachers and one for children, which is not enough for the school’s 138 children. Moreover, there is no hand-washing area in the school, and as the infection of COVID-19 continues to spread, there are also hygiene problems.

  For these plights in order to reduce the effects of floods and create an environment where children can concentrate on their studies with peace of mind, with the grant of the TOTO Water Environment Fund, we have decided to provide the support such as raising the school building, reclaiming the school yard and constructing toilets.

   From June and July, the schoolyard where sea water has accumulated, was filled with earth and sand at a height of 50-80 cm, while the floor of the north building (3 class rooms for lower grade children, staff room and terrace) were raised by 10 cm and tiled. During the construction period, the parents of the children also took turns to participate the labor service every day and worked hard on the leveling work.

  The parents who participated the word said, “We have also donated for the school to reclaim the schoolyard, but the household budget was very difficult. This support is financially very helpful.” Many voices of joy and gratitude were heard. Currently, we are constructing toilets and hand-washing facilities. In Demak Regency, as of August, face-to-face lessons have been resumed after limiting the number of students. The children of Timbulsloko No. 1 Elementary School must be overjoyed at this new situation.

Meanwhile, in order to share the results of face-to-face workshops in each region, they held an online debriefing session on March 15. The representative of each region reported that even when face-to-face lessons were not conducted, teachers in cooperation with parents carried out maintenance of planted sites, and also CFP activities were being continued while devising measures such as promoting the cultivation of vegetables and medicinal plants in each child’s home. Since the current situation is considered to continue for the time being until the Corona pandemic subsides, it is expected that the newly acquired knowledge will be utilized in future environmental education. 

　From January 27-29, 12 Japanese senior high school students and 6 teachers visited OISCA Sukabumi Training Center in Indonesia under “International Exchange Program for Senior High School Students specializing in Forest and Forestry” sponsored by the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization.

　The students group promoted exchange with Indonesian trainees and experienced agricultural field work such as harvesting red pepper. They also visited Sukabumi First Senior High School, a participating school in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP), and enjoyed a cultural exchange session with their Indonesian counterparts, home staying and language classes in which they taught their languages each other.

　This is the fifth program. Sukabuni First Senior High School which hosts every year, busily prepared elaborate presentations. The Japanese students, while overwhelmed by the enormous efforts of the Indonesian side, tried their best to communicate with gestures and presented Japanese culture and language in one way or another. It became a good opportunity for the students of both sides to learn the cultures of the respective countries and promote friendship.

The Green Wave is a global diversity campaign to educate children and youth about the diversity which OISCA has participated since 2008.

The Green Wave campaign carried out worldwide on and around May 22th which is designated as the International day for Biological diversity. OISCA also carried out various activities not only domestic but also international, mainly with CFP participating schools.

In Hong Kong, the OISCA Hong Kong Chapter held “building squares of TSUMIKI: Wood blocks”※ on March 21st 2019.

A total of 55 kinder garden children and teachers took part in building squares of TSUMIKI. They made artworks by using 3 kinds of wood blocks. 

At the end, they made a big town by gathering their respective artworks. After that, they watched the Kamishibai (story telling with pictures) which tells the importance of forest. They intently listened to the story narrated by the speaker and learned about the importance of appropriate forest management.

In Hong Kong’s urban area where the population is concentrated, children have no opportunity to spending time with natural environment. Therefore, through this experience, they have been able to know the importance and blessing of forest.

In Japan, we carried out tree planting and silvicultural activity in various places.

In Yamanashi Prefecture, OISCA held a planting event on June 5 which was designated as the “Environment Day” by the United Nations.

Employees of OISCA supporting companies and staff of the Indian Embassy and local elementary school children planted trees on Environment Day in Mt. Fuji. Mt. Fuji was added to the World Cultural Heritage list in 2013 but a part of forest had lost ecosystem due to insect damage. They mended some nets which protect seedlings from the damage by deer and carried out supplementary planting of broadleaf seedlings in the damage area. These seedlings planted on this day were donated by the Embassy of India to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. We hope that these seedlings will grow well and Mt. Fuji will show a beautiful appearance to make people delighted.

2020 will marks the end of the UN Decade on Biological Diversity.

OISCA has been tackling the conservation of biodiversity on the whole earth through various projects. As one of the Green Wave Official Partners, OISCA intends to strengthen cooperation with Japanese government agencies and make further contribution in Japan and other countries.

※“Building squares of TSUMIKI: Wood blocks” :  It is a program that communicates clearly the importance of forest to children by using wood blocks made from thinned wood.

Challenge to reduce garbage in pleasure

In Indonesia, the garbage problem has become serious due to population increase and economic development. Currently, most of the garbage is buried as it is or illegally incinerated and discarded. While the problem of marine pollution due to plastic waste become serious.

In the Children’s Forest Program (CFP), we carry out practical instruction of waste separation and recycling at school.

We compost raw garbage and utilize for organic agriculture, and make use of used plastic bottles as planters for planting flowers. What we can do in school is limited. But the awareness of children is steadily changing, for example, littering of waste has been little decreased. Valuing small changes, we will continue steady activities in the future.

Daily efforts is recognized by the government

SMK Plus Alfarhan High School is located at the foot of Mt. Gede Pangrango. Most of the people are engaged in agriculture in this area. They lost their forest which has water retaining function  & biodiversity because of over cultivation of the land. In 2015, there, they started the CFP to recover the rich forest and educate children to be environment friendly.

 In 2017, they planted 506 fruits and native trees such as guava, Barringtonia asiaticas, and seedlings of local species.  Local CFP coordinator is very active; they have tried many activities such as taking care of seedlings and separating garbage without OISCA-staff. 

The school teacher has understood CFP, so that they spare the environmental class time to CFP activities. Students and teachers have regularly carried out the activities, therefore their environmental awareness has been growing. Being successful in such daily efforts, they were awarded the environmental prize at the national level.

Their success in CFP activities have become an inspiration to other schools for promoting environmental activities. We should pay attention to this school’s future activities.

 The long-awaited activity started

MI TARBIYATUSSHIBYAN Primary School is located in Desa Pasir Buncir village. Most  people are farmers or bike/taxi drivers and they earn small income and are leading harsh daily life. Near the village, sand mining is thriving, but on the other hand there are some problems such as air pollution and water contamination. Although they had a large ground, they couldn’t make full use of it and didn’t have any knowledge or experience of using the ground effectively. Therefore, the teachers of this school have consulted with OISCA staff and they have started CFP.

OISCA held a seminar for teachers to explain the importance of planting trees .After that, teachers and children planted 1,111 seedlings os local species such as Manglietia glauca, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and Toona Sureni.

To further promote their positive mind, OISCA held the environmental seminar and carried out recycle activities..

 Although their parents are farmers, children have never touched the soil. Therefore, they would like to start to cultivate vegetables for enhancing awareness toward agriculture.

OISCA members, CFP school's students and many friends participated actively in the Green Wave 2018!

The Green Wave is a global biodiversity campaign to educate children and youth about biodiversity. Towards 2020, last year of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (2011-2020), the United Nations has been appealing more vigorously for its promotion worldwide. 

On March 13, 2018, OISCA, together with 7 other Japanese organizations, was appointed as Green Wave Official Partner by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Japan Committee for the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB-J) in Tokyo. The appointment is thanks to OISCA’s contribution and international collaboration for implementing the Green Wave activities.

   In Japan, “Green Wave Asakura Water Source Forest Development” in Fukuoka Prefecture held on March 11 spearheaded OISCA’s Green Wave activities of the year. A total of 140 participants including trainees at the OISCA Nishi Nippon Training Center planted wild cherry trees, Forsythia and other species.

 Moreover, at the site of the Coastal Forest Restoration Project in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, this year’s volunteer activities started on April 21. The participants numbering 124 persons carried out such field work as making drainage. At the planting site, it has become possible to observe various animals and plants. According to a survey conducted by the Forestry Agency last year, it has been confirmed that 337 plant species, 278 insect species and 43 bird species are inhabiting in the area. Thus, the project has been proven to be contributing to the recovery of biodiversity. 

 Tree planting and silvicultural activities were also carried out mainly by CFP participating schools in various foreign countries. In Mongolia, the children who visited Japan as CFP Children’s Goodwill Ambassadors are leading the activities and at a school in Bulgan Province, they planted on May 7 Mongolian cherry, acacia and other tree species. They visited other schools in Ulaanbaatar, the Capital City and Erdent City and carried out planting activities with school children. 

Various Countries including

Japan Participated in the Green Wave 2017

The Green Wave is a global biodiversitycampaign which the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)of the United Nations has advocated and is calling for participation in greening by young people. It is celebrated globally before and after May 22 –the International Day for Biological Diversity. OISCA concluded in 2016 a basic agreement with SCBD for promoting conservation of biological diversity and PR activities, and has been carrying out tree planting activities mainly through schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP). This year, it actively conducted the Green Wave campaign in Japan and overseas.

In Mongolia, schools and kindergartens participating in CFP planted various species of seedlings such as pine trees, almond and apricot in the campus. The children carried water in bucket and sprinkled plenty of water to the root so that the seedlings would be able to grow up even under the severe dry weather.

In Indonesia, students belonging to “Environment Club” of Sukabumi No 1 High School led tree planting activities at 8 neighboring elementary schools with the support of CFP coordinator who is also a teacher of the high school, thus contributing to the spread of the Green Wave in the area. Moreover, OISCA Indonesia approached CFP non-participant schools and appealed for participation and promoted cooperation with village youth groups, mosques and universities. This year, 92 schools took part in the campaign and the circle of activities is steadily spreading.

Also in Japan, OISCA Branches nationwide conducted the activities. Hiroshima Branch carried out forest maintenance at the “OISCA Forest” in the Prefectural Mominoki Forest Park. In cooperation with various organizations in the Prefecture, the Branch is aiming at offering venues and opportunities for children to get familiar with forests, and as part of it,participated in the Green Wave. It tackled the maintenance activities so that children would be able to enjoy thinning experience and handicraft utilizing thinned materials on summer holidays.

In Tokyo, symposium “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Towards Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets and SDGs” was held at on June 21 at Sophia University, and Dr. Christina Pasca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, delivered a keynote speech. After the symposium, Mr. Yasuaki Nagaishi, Secretary General of OISCA, met with Dr.Palmer, and reported that OISCA including CFP participating schools is tackling the Green Wave in the various operating areas. On her part, Dr. Palmer expressed appreciation to OISCA for promoting forest development by young people and environmental education. Both sides mutually reconfirmed to further deepen cooperative relations so that many people could lead a life with the conservation of biodiversity in mind.

OISCA is issuing a certificate of participation in the Green Wave jointly signed by the SCBD Executive Secretary and OISCA Secretary General toeach participating organization and is appealing for their participation after next year.

Just joined CFP !

This school has 78 students and is located in Sukabumi, West Java Province. A student who had participated in CFP as a child, became the principal of the school and wanted his school also tackle the activities and joined in 2016. Beforehand, The CFP coordinator conducted a seminar for the principal and teachers on the significance of CFP activities, and then explained to students and their parents the importance and method of environmental conservation.

In the first activity, they planted fruit trees such as Rambutan and Sukun. They are also challenging organic farming on the school field by making organic fertilizers. The school is situated in a village but its students come from big cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor, etc. Since the students from the cities are usually not exposed to the soil, tree planting and organic farming provide them with valuable opportunities to experience nature. Mr. Muhammad Irpan, school teacher, commented: “Students can acquire life skills through tree planting, organic farming and making compost. This is a great program for promoting their independence.”

Forest development

which brings many blessings

   SDN 2 Ngemplak is an elementary school with 114 pupils located in Karanganyar, Central Java Province. In this school which is taking part in CFP since 1993, the trees planted by school children are steadily growing and providing cool environment with shades. As they are carrying out activities in close cooperation with the local community, they could utilize the land owned by the village as a planting site and have developed it as a small forest. 

In 2016, they planted local fruit bearing trees such as Java plum and longan. When the trees start bearing fruits, the fruits will serve as nutrition source for the school children and may be sold to purchase stationery and equipment of the school. Ms. Adella Puspa Vika, 11-years old student said: “I am always enjoying outdoor activities such as tree planning and maintenance of plants. I am looking forward to playing various nature games taught by CFP coordinators.”

   In the future, they intend to put effort on gardening and studying garbage separation while carefully taking care of the planted seedlings. 

The Green Wave, OISCA has joined since 2008, it is promoted by The Secertariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) .
The new CFP logo which cerebrating 25th anniversary of CFP were shown in Indonesia CFP schools and flying that flag. That logo has wishes for  "water, green and protect the future". Along that meant, children were tought "planting trees make conserving water cleanly and protect livings its lives and make the happiness future". After this education, children seems start to have more passionate attitude to participate CFP project.OISCA also took lots of actions involving CFP schools mainly with many participants in Japan and other countires.A lot of activities concerning greens were taken actions all over the world around on May, 22th, the international biological diversity day.

Hong Kong which has been 3 years since it joined Green Wave. With hanging slogan of "harmonized with nature" 29 schools and 10 organizations had tree planting. It seems people are more interesting in it by reffering the participants and its organizations are increasing year by year. The students planted sunflowers, morning glory and beans in OISCA Hong Kong Japanese kindergarden.
 In addition to it, MACCO also started activities sincce OISCA Hong Kong invited to join this. And then, the event has held with a concept of "Love green and grow all livings". There were many of programs like quiz of environment, drawing and planting vegetables were enjoyed understanding about environment by family and students.This makes good opportunity to learn how people connect to nature and precious green through these watering and observing them.

The 2nd annual eco-camp event in Sumenep Regency, Madura Island was held in March 19th – 20th, 2016 at Dungkek Junior High School in the same regency.  It was attended by 173 students from 6 CFP schools and 4 non-CFP schools.  Students were accompanied by two teachers from every participating school. 
 The eco-camp was conducted to commemorate two important international events, which were the World Water Day and the International Day of Forests.  Thus, all activities were related to these themes so that students could learn and understand the relationship of water to trees.  Such examples of activities carried out were lectures on waste management, water as source of life, relationship of sea and mountain which were provided by the Environment Office and CFP national team.  Fakha, CFP Ambassador, also shared the experience and knowledge he learned during his trip to Japan.  Others were planting of 205 seedlings and station activity.  The aims were to instill in children the appreciation for water and its source, discipline in garbage management and love for tree planting.

As March 19th was also Earth Hour day, all lights went out that evening and it was a good opportunity to explain to the participants its purpose during the campfire. 
 Aside from the eco-camp, there was also the inauguration of the rainwater harvesting facility in the school.  Tanks were installed in the school for storing of water because during the dry season, there is water shortage that plants usually die.  Through this facility, seedlings planted for this program will continue to survive as there is water supply for the continued greening of the school.
 This event and all other CFP activities in Madura is made possible through the funding of National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization (NALAPO) of Japan.  Schools that are involved in this program and government offices for education, environment and forestry are very grateful for the assistance.

Indonesian CFP Children Goodwill Ambassador, actively promoting environmental conservation activities back home

 Ms. Utami Fauziah, a 12-years old elementary school pupil from Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia, who was one of the participants in the 2015 OISCA Program for CFP Children Goodwill Ambassadors in Japan, has been playing an active role in various events related to the environmental conservation in the home country.At a report meeting held at her school after returning from Japan, she told her classmates and teachers about the experience and learning acquired through the program in Japan. As the most impressive points, she enumerated that since separate collection of garbage and recycling have been widely practiced in Japan, cities and towns are clean and beautiful without trash on the streets and that for developing forests, it is very important not only to plant trees,  but also to make a cycle to cut down trees and effectively use them.

As practical recycling activities, together with her schoolmates, she has been tackling craft making by utilizing scrap wood, and some of their works are now displayed at school.

Moreover, on January 17, 2016, she was invited as one of the resource persons to a talk show of the special event: “Peduli Yatim Dhuafa Fair 2016” (Caring for Poor Children & Orphans Fair 2016) which was held at Bogor City Hall by Bogor Polytechnic Academy for Chemical Analysts for the purpose of inspiring and encouraging parents and children to love environment and learning how to cope with environmental damage. In front of a large audience including representative of the Bogor education community, students of the Polytechnic Academy, teachers and pupils of elementary schools, orphans and underprivileged children in Bogor City, she made a presentation on her observations and experience in Japan and also touched on her future plans. She told the audience that she wants to aggressively promote separate collection and recycling of garbage at school and in the village and also to increase greenery by planting more trees at vacant spaces in the village.

Visit to Japan by Indonesian and Thai Children Goodwill Ambassadors

From October 19 to 30, 2015, a group of Indonesian and Thai children came to Japan as CFP Children Goodwill Ambassadors. The children visited Osaka, Nara, Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka and Tokyo, and learnt about Japan’s Nature and efforts for conserving the environment while carrying out exchange programs in the various areas.

They first visited Yoshikawa Elementary School in Toyonoo, Osaka Prefecture, and introduced to the Japanese children the cultures of their respective countries through presenting songs and dances and at the same time, enjoyed an exchange program through Japanese traditional plays and joint drawing of pictures.

On October 22, the CFP Children Goodwill Ambassadors visited the Osaka ATC Green Eco Plaza and observed the approaches of private companies towards the environmental problem and the exhibition of the latest technologies.

In Gifu Prefecture, the children’s group visited the Kitagata Minami Children’s Hall, learnt about the efforts made by the local public facility for supporting child rearing and experienced the Japanese traditional plays such as OTEDAMA (juggling bags game) or KENDAMA. At Kitagata Nishi Elementary School, the visiting group reported on the environmental problems and forest development in the two countries and also enjoyed a cultural program through presenting songs and eating school lunch together. At the Gifu Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry High School, following the presentation by the children’s group, they made a tour of the school facilities and then, experienced making ice cream produced and sold at school. The children were highly impressed by the activities of the high school students who are comprehensively involved in taking care of animals and crops, planning, manufacturing and marketing of products.

On October 25, the CFP Ambassadors group moved to Aichi Prefecture. They carried out an exchange program with the local children at OISCA Chubu-Nippon Training Center. After making on-site visit to a local forest, they made presentations on their activities in the home countries and exchanged opinions on the differences of their respective forests and efforts for environmental conservation.On October 26, the children’s group visited the Aichi EXPO 2005 Memorial Park, learnt about Japan’s four seasons through Nature observation and enjoyed handicraft using natural materials such as acorns available in the forest. On that day, they had home-stay program with Japanese families and experienced Japanese life and culture.

On October 27 and 28, the Thai children group visited OISCA Academy Senior High School. The school is alma mater of Ms. Samai Srilueang, the coordinator of the group. She visited there for the first time in a long time. The children experienced tea ceremony and learnt about the various activities for environmental conservation of the school such as mangrove planting along Hamana Lake, separation of waste and recycling. They were surprised at the high environmental awareness of the high school students and got a hint for their future activities.

On October 28, the Thai and Indonesian groups joined again in Tokyo. They visited the Asakusa Shrine and the old folk house and learnt about the Japanese religious beliefs and traditional architecture.

The Thai group left Japan for home on the late night of October 28. Meanwhile, the Indonesian group had a presentation meeting on October 29 at the OISCA Headquarters in Tokyo. A boy from Madura Island which suffers from perennial water problems such as floods in the rainy season and drought in the dry season appealed the importance of forest conservation and strongly urged the participants to protect the green earth. Aside from the children, the accompanying local staff also made presentations on the significance of the children’s participation and involvement of the local residents in the CFP activities.

Although their stay in Japan was for only 10 days, it seemed to be irreplaceable time with many encounters and discoveries. It is hoped that the children will bring back home their new experiences and learning, and take initiative in promoting the Children’s Forest Program.

OISCA Indonesia holds Eco Camp with the theme of Forest and Water

 On March 21 and 22, OISCA Indonesia organized eco camp of the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) in Madura Island, East Java Province, and 150 school children and teachers from 10 primary and secondary schools in Sumenep and Pamekasan Regencies participated in the event. The camp was held to commemorate the “International Day of Forest” on March 21 and the “World Water Day” on March 22.

 On Madura Island, serious water shortage in the dry season and massive floods in the rainy season occur mainly because the terrain is mostly flat with poor water retention capability and forestation is not in progress. In the face of the frequent natural disasters, it has been the major challenge to conserve the water source environment.

   With the financial support from the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization, OISCA started in 2014 “Project of cooperation with schools and communities for the conservation of forests and water” with a view to promote knowledge on forests and water conservation, to fundamentally improve the environment and to develop sustainable communities. The eco camp was carried out as a CFP activity which forms part of the project. Through seminars and outdoor workshops, the participating children learnt about environmental problems of their own communities, water circulation in nature and biodiversity.

  The children said they understood well that protecting forests leads to protecting water and would like to continue tree planting so that their communities would be revitalized with green and rich land. By fostering the children’s awareness and also involving the local residents, OISCA intends to promote the development of human resources who can take initiatives.

With the financial support from the Global Industrial & Social Progress Research Institute (GISPRI), OISCA carried out the CFP Children’s Goodwill Ambassadors program two times in September and October 2014. From October 1 to 10, Indonesian and Myanmar children came over to Japan for presentation meetings and exchange programs in Tokyo, Kagawa and Ehime. On October 4, they participated in the “Global Festa 2014” held at Hibiya Park in Tokyo, and socializing with Japanese children coming from different parts of the country,  taught each other cultures of their respective countries and communities, and together made a “Promise for the Earth 10 years later”

   Mr. Htet Phyo Lwin from Myanmar told that in his village, it rains in only about 40 days a year and so, only those crops such as peas resistant to dry can grow; in the dry season, there is no water even in rivers, and they get a small amount of water digging the sand, but it is very hard to carry water. He added that although it is tough to raise trees under this environment, the shade provided by the grown forest is cool and pleasant.

　At an event commemorating Japan’s International Cooperation Day held on October 6, 2014, Indonesian and Myanmar children who were visiting Japan as Children’s Forest Program (CFP) Goodwill Ambassadors presented a theme song for CFP entitled  “Mori no Ibuki” together with Ms. Kazuyo Kuriya, a flutist and the theme song lyric writer and composer.

Ms. Putri Oktaviani Rachman and Ms. Maharani Dean Pramudita from Indonesia received intensive Japanese language lessons before coming over to Japan.  They made all presentations in Japanese and surprised the Japanese participants. The Japanese supporters who participated in the presentation meeting in Tokyo commented: “looking at the children speaking with lively facial expressions, we could feel that the CFP activities are really enjoyable and that forests are developed with the hands of these children”.

On the other hand, children from Sri Lanka and Thailand visited Japan from September 4 to 15 and conducted programs in Aichi, Gifu, Chiba and Tokyo. In the exchange meeting held at Aichi Prefectural Toyota Higashi Senior High School which is expected to take part as the representative of the Chubu region in the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development being held in Japan this November, the Sri Lankan and Thai children reported that the forests in their communities have been lost due to the rapid developments and wildfire causing serious problems such as landslides and water shortage and that they are carrying out tree-planting activities so as to lessen these problems. The students of Toyota Higashi Senior High School made a presentation about their studies and research on living creatures in Yahagi River and forests and also activities to protect the environment.

   This year falls on the 60^th anniversary of Japan’s international cooperation and also the last year of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) which was proposed by Japan and has been promoted by the international community.

In the future, we intend to improve through this sort of projects mutual understanding of respective environments and cultures beyond the country and also foster children who can act together.

  OISCA, a Japanese NGO for international cooperation with its headquarters in Suginami-Ku, Tokyo, developed this year falling on the last year of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) a picture-show story through which children world over can easily make an opportunity to think over the forests and environment of their own communities and other countries or areas. The picture-show story has been published on the website.

[Public Demonstration]
   “ESD Global Citizen Village” learning program
   Date: August 22 (Friday), 2014   10:30-11:30
   Venue: 2nd floor lounge, United Nations University, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

[Inquiries]
   Ms. Emi Takada, International Cooperation Division, OISCA
   Izumi 2-17-5, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-0063
   Tel. 03-3322-5161   FAX 03-3324-7111   E-mail: oisca@oisca.org   HP: http//www.oisca.org

60 Schools and Organizations in Indonesia participated in the Green Wave


   The Green Wave is a global campaign the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) has been calling for to educate children and youth about biodiversity.  On the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), children and youth plant trees at 10:00 local time in their respective schools and communities, thereby spreading green waves worldwide.

   OISCA’s Children’s Forest Program (CFP) has been also taking part in the campaign since 2009, and the number of participating schools and countries is steadily increasing. Indonesia, which has participated for the fourth time, is particularly active, and about 2,000 school children and young people from 60 CFP schools and organizations such as youth groups and orphanages took part. In the activities, former OISCA trainees in cooperation with CFP coordinators, worked hard for spreading information by utilizing social networking service such as Facebook.

   In the tree planting conducted in Indonesia, seedlings of local species and rare species were planted to protect biological diversity and to prevent the extinction of species. At the No. 1 Parungkuda Hich School, which has been promoting CFP activities through an eco club on a regular basis and has a keen interest in global warming and environmental issues, the Green Wave has become an annual event. After a simple ceremony, the students and teachers planted seedlings of fruit trees called Tangkalak, rare species of the Sukabumi area. Planting the local species is a good opportunity for the children to get familiar with the natural environment of their community and taking care of the planted seedlings is leading to foster awareness for protecting Nature. Besides, there are an increasing number of schools and organizations which are carrying out, not only tree planting but also a variety of programs such as nature games, echo seminars and trash collection, and there are growing expectations of the future development.

   The details of the OISCA Green Waves conducted in the various countries are published on the CFP Facebook. Please do have a look at the site.

In June, 427 children from 29 school over Sukabumi Regency gathered for the eco camp held under the theme of "Think, Eat, Save (reduce) your footprint". During the 2-day camp, they participated in several activities reated to the theme and learnt many things about healthy diet.

The main activities of the camp were environmental drama and field bingo.

Environmental drama titled "Eating Patterns" was held in the evening as an opening performance prior to lighting of the bonfire by the camping committee. Children could learn many things about environmental education and could also imagine the impact of consuming unhealthy foods through the drama as well as preventive measures.

Another main activity was "Field Bingo". Every children in every groups were given bingo cards. They searched for items written in the cards. The bingo card was used as a medium to introduce different kinds of vegetables and things listed in the card were vegetables.

After the children found all the items on the cards, they moved to the next station wherein they were taught about the benefits and nutirition contents of the vegetables.

Children in Sukabumi Regency Model Elementary School learnt treatment on inorganic wastes through the nature game with fun.

After given ice-breaking activity to cheer the children up, they were told to choose their favorite animals and each one must be different from the other. Then they were told there were no food and must gather three "fruits" in different colors to ease hunger. In this nature game, "fruit" means inorganic gabage. So children gathered all garbages around the school and the result was an incredible collection of inorganic garbage.

CFP coordinator gave exlpanation about kinds of garbage to the children.

Organic garbage constiutes materials that come from plants, animals, agricultural produce or in fisheries. These kinds of garbage are easy to process naturally. Household garbage are mostly organic such as vegetable left-overs, fruit peelings, leaves and food scraps.

On the other hand, inorganic garbage comes from natural resources that are not renewable like minerals, petroleum and those processed from certain industries. These are non-degradable by nature and it takes a long time to process them naturally. Inorganic gabage from households are bottles, cans, plastic bags, and so on.

Children were also taught how to manage organic and inorganic wastes, such as making cmpost with organic wastes, and recycle or reuse inorganic wastes. Now they must be professionals of waste management!

Liquid fertilizer making workshop was carried out by a CFP coordinator at Sukabumi Regency Model Elementary School as a practical test on environmental education.

The main ingredient of the fertilizer was banana grown in the school compound. Children from the 5th grade and the 4th grade gathered banana trunks or young banana leaves. After they gathered enough ingredients, children cut the trunks or leaves into small pieces and put them into the plastic bottles with EMB solution.

Baloons were used to cover the bottles so that children can learn gas reaction in liquid fertilizer. If the bacteria works well, the balloon will inflate due to the gas discharge. Childrens are observing the balloon with a curious eyes!

Once the liquid fertilizer is ready for use, children will apply them to plants planted around the school or their homes.

This activity was carried out after the final examinations in school on April 16th, 2011. Pupils from the 3rd to the 5th grades totaling 88 children joined in this special activity. It started with a healthy walk around the village of Batursari to observe the kinds of vegetables planted around the area. Children were excited going around the village filled with various mountain vegetable farms left and right. They joked and sang while walking along streets of the village.

Although most of their parents are farmers, many children are not acquainted with the method in planting vegetables. This activity was expected to infuse love for the “green world” from something small suh as vegetable planting in pots. Plastic pots were distributed to the children the day before the implementation and teachers explained the media to be used in preparation for planting. Children brought media for planting from home since their parents are farmers, thus, it was not difficult to prepare. They looked for their favorite vegetable seedlings at home and took them to school. Among them were chili, tomato, scallion, celery and mustard green.

After arriving school, teachers checked their plastic pots and taught how to take care of them. Children wrote down their names on the pots to be responsible for the maintenance. Plastic pots were laid out at the back of the school per class.

Children requested to make an essay on the activity and in general, they were all happy with this environmental action. They felt fresher because it is held outside of the classroom and learning with nature proved beneficial for them.

The tree planting activity was conducted in December, 2011. Before planting, children were introduced to the tree species and their benefits by the CFP coordinator.

Although they had planted trees several times, it was very first time for them to learn about trees. After the class, children planted total of 185 trees which they had learnt in the classroom in the school yard.

When tree planting was over, it continued with a drawing contest on the scenery viewed from their school grounds.  There had been an increase in knowledge and awareness of the environment among the children as seen from the enthusiasm in asking questions regarding trees, the manner in planting and proper way to take care of them.  Message of the coordinator to the children, “Although there were seedlings that died last year, we must keep on replanting so that our school will become cooler and shadier.

SDN Batursari joined CFP in 2010. In accordance with CFP concept, the main activity is tree planting. Until the end of 2011, the school has conducted tree planting many times already.
This planting activity had the participation of all pupils from Grades 1-6, teachers and village officials of Batursari Kledung Village. This was the last day in school for the pupils wherein they received their report cards before going on a school break. It was scheduled on this day so that all classes could join and children could go home with the thought that they did something worthwhile before going on vacation. Children did Japanese exercise before the activity and they looked very enthusiastic doing it.

Children brought manure and bamboo stakes from home. They wrote and attached short messages and their names in every seedling in order to instill responsibility and ownership.

Jabon and pine tree seedlings were donation from a company called “CV Piranti Work Temanggung” which manufactures radio made from wood. This company has environmental activities which are channeled through its own environmental division. It has a hardwood trees nursery program and a plantation as well. Seedlings from the nursery are distributed to the community and aside from that, they also gave instructions on how to properly maintain them and provided environmental information.

This tree planting activity was featured in “Suara Merdeka”, a newspaper in Central Java on December 22nd, 2010.

OISCA Madura organized 2-day Eco Camp at PT Garam PERSERO Complex on 16 – 17 April 2012. 84 children from 3 different schools participated in this camp. They experienced many activities such as environmental lectures, nature games, tree plantings. The children in this area rarely join a camping event, so the schedule of the camp which was full of events might be a tough for the children, but it seemed like they enjoyed their time. They were always cheerful and active as you can see from the pictures on this site!

The detail of this eco camp is available from the icon below (PDF file).

To commemorate World Environment Day, OISCA Alumi Association of Demak conducted a 2-day eco-camp on June 19-20, 2012. The event was held at 2 Baleromo Elementary School at Dempet Subdistrict in Demak Regency. There were 9 elementary schools and 2 senior high schools that joined in this event with a total of 106 participants.

Activities for two days include environmental lectures, nature games, dramatic presentations and drawing contest. A symbolic tree planting was held on the first day during the opening ceremony which was opened by the head of Demak Regency Office of Environment. It was followed by lectures on waste management, biodiversity and mangrove program of OISCA in line with the global theme.

This was the second eco-camp event carried out by OISCA Demak with the first camp held at Bedono Village where the mangrove program is implemented. For this year, it was moved to a farming village so that children from Bedono could experience life away from the coast. Three elementary schools from Bedono sent their groups for the eco-camp. It was the first time for them to mingle with children from a farming community and learn about environemnt. Children from Baleromo Village were also able to listen the importance of coastal planting because it was something they have never heard of. They voiced their interest by wanting to visit Bedono Village one day and observe costal life as well as learn more about mangrove trees.

This event was held in cooperation with Office of Environment, Office of National Political Unity & Community Protection and the Land Office of Demak Regency. Environmental mentors were volunteer students from 1 Dempet Senior High School and Qodiriyah Harjowinangun Islamic High School. These students were trained by members of OISCA Demak for three days on eco-camp management and how to conduct nature games.

『Action Plan Kicked Off』

Jabal and Zalfaa visited Japan to participate in the CFP Goodwill Ambassadors Program held in Tokyo. In the 10-day program, they created an action plan for their school's CFP activities. In their plan, the very first action was to organize Green wave in their school.

Soon after they returned home, they started to organize the Green Wave. On May 22 which was the International Day for Biological Diversity, they planted three different kinds of native trees in their school yard with their friends.They did kick off their action plan they made in Japan.

The photos sent by the coodinator to the OISCA Headquater surprised us because expressions of Jabal and Zalfaa as they smiled to the camera with their friends after the Green Wave seemed to exude confidence, which we did not see during their stay for the CFP Goodwill Ambassador program. They were the youngest participants to the program. In the course of the 10-day program with the other elder participants from other countries, Jabal and Zalfaa seemed to absorb a broad-ranging knowledge and gain confindence in proceeding with CPF activities. We hope them to keep working as active CFP leaders of their school.

“What is the nursery?”

“How do we take care of seedlings?”

 The children asked during the activities of the Children’s Forest Program.

 It was at the time that primary school pupils and junior high school students learned planting and subsequent management in September 2009. On that day, the children sowed about 1,000 Albasiah and about 500 acacia seeds.

Previously, OISCA provided seedlings for tree plantings. It was the first experience for the children to grow trees from seeds. For about next 3 months, the children watered and took care of them until the seedlings have 5-6 leaves. After 3 months, the seedlings grew enough to be transplanted. The children were very delighted at the growth and carefully planted around the school.

The children brought the remaining seedlings to their home and their parents planted them in the garden or nearby vacant land.

The children made a promise to keep taking care of these plants.

Daarul Abroor Islamic Schools, Sumatra Selatan

Program starting year: 2009 Number of students: 224