Written and Photography by: Chen Yuehua, Deputy Project Manager

     On March 20, 2026, the Humana People to People Tengchong Ecological Civilization and Low-Carbon Life Education Project jointly launched a spring outing themed "Embrace Spring Fun, Walk with Low Carbon" with Tengchong No. 2 Kindergarten. Two project staff members, together with teachers of the senior grade group, children and parent volunteers from the kindergarten, embarked on the spring journey. The activity integrated environmental protection concepts with spring study tours, allowing children to get close to and love nature through hands-on practice during the event.

       At the event site, the ecological civilization exhibition boards arranged in advance by project staff, featuring vivid illustrations of low-carbon knowledge and interesting environmental protection cases, attracted many parents and children to stop and watch. Gao Huanrun, a project staff member, used easy-to-understand language combined with life scenarios familiar to children to explain low-carbon tips: turning off lights when leaving a room, reducing the use of disposable items, and tips for garbage classification, among others. The co-learning scene of adults and children holding hands allowed environmental awareness to be quietly transmitted in a relaxed atmosphere, becoming a particularly warm and special scenic line in spring.

     Next, the children transformed into little nature explorers and walked into the spring forest: touching the texture of bark, counting the number of flower petals, observing the shape of leaves, and picking up fallen branches, leaves and petals to collect natural materials for the upcoming creative handicraft session. Every fallen leaf and dead branch became a creative gift from nature. In the subsequent creative collage session, children worked in groups of 8 to 9 to create works. They divided responsibilities, shared fantastic ideas, and used pure natural environmentally friendly materials to piece together creative works such as flowers, small animals, forests and beautiful spring scenery. This fun handicraft activity not only helped the environmental protection concept take root, but also cultivated children's teamwork ability and hands-on creativity during collaborative creation.

        At the end of the activity, the children voluntarily transformed into little environmental protection guardians, and worked in teams to pick up the leftover garbage at the site and put it into the corresponding trash bins according to classification. The project staff also specially guided the children: "The leaves and branches that we didn't use don't need to be thrown into the trash bin. Gently scatter them under the big trees, and they will decompose naturally and turn into organic fertilizer to nourish the trees." From learning environmental protection knowledge together to practicing low-carbon behaviors in person, teachers, parents and children fulfilled their environmental commitments with practical actions, allowing civilization and green concepts to accompany the entire spring outing process.

Project Introduction:

The Tengchong Ecological Civilization and Low-Carbon Life Education Project is supported by Homanity & Humanity and Dr. Hans Georg Engel, and implemented in cooperation with the Tengchong Education and Sports Bureau. The project provides support to 30 central primary schools and kindergartens in Tengchong, including establishing school demonstration classes for model lessons, forming ecological civilization low-carbon student environmental protection associations and organizing related activities, and collaborating with school science teachers to research future experimental school goals and curriculum development. It aims to improve teachers' and students' environmental awareness and practical abilities, and promote the formation of green and low-carbon lifestyles.

This article only represents the author’s views and is independent of the funders' positions.

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