As part of the Strengthening Women and Youth Engagement in Informal Waste Management in Sri Lanka (SWYFT) project, a Dhamma School awareness program was successfully conducted at Subodharama Temple, with the active participation of around 100 Dhamma school students.
The awareness session was conducted by the Project Manager of the SWYFT Project, Mr. Buddhika Somaratne, with the objective of nurturing environmentally responsible attitudes among young children and encouraging sustainable waste management practices from an early age.
During the session, students were introduced to key concepts of responsible waste management, with a special focus on the 3R principles – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The programme highlighted the harmful impacts of improper waste disposal on the environment, waterways, and human health, while emphasizing the role each individual can play in minimizing waste generation in their daily lives.
Special attention was given to plastic waste, helping students understand how plastics, when mismanaged, contribute to environmental pollution, and how proper separation and disposal can support recycling and circular economy initiatives. Students were encouraged to practice waste segregation at the household level and to act as change agents within their families and communities.
The interactive nature of the program allowed students to actively engage in discussions, ask questions, and share their own experiences related to waste and cleanliness. By linking environmental responsibility with values taught through Dhamma education, such as mindfulness, responsibility, and care for all living beings, the program successfully reinforced the importance of protecting nature as a shared moral duty.
As a practical follow-up to the awareness session, the project team is planning to place a waste bin at the Dhamma School, further supporting proper waste segregation and reinforcing daily waste management practices among students.
The workshop was conducted in English for English-medium students, ensuring effective understanding and engagement. A separate awareness program for Sinhala-medium students is planned to be conducted in the upcoming weeks, ensuring inclusivity and equal access to environmental education for all students.
This awareness program forms part of SWYFT’s broader commitment to community- and school-based awareness raising, aimed at creating long-term behavior change and fostering a culture of sustainable waste management across Sri Lanka. By empowering children with knowledge and values, the project seeks to build a future generation that is conscious, responsible, and actively involved in protecting the environment.
The SWYFT project continues to implement similar awareness programs across its target districts, strengthening community engagement while supporting inclusive and sustainable waste management solutions.
