Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
The launching of the concept “Humans of UNICEF” took place Friday, November 15, 2024, at the premises of Government Primary School (GPS) Emana in Yaounde. It was in the presence of the focal point at UNICEF, Diane Abe.
“The idea is to give the opportunity for children to express what they feel with regards to environmental protection,” says Diane Abe.
“We want the kids to be bearers of messages on protection of the environment.”
The Humans of UNICEF concept is designed to give the opportunity to staffs of UNICEF and other UN agencies to paint the wall of a primary school building in blue alongside pupils of the school.
The event at GPS Emana started with a workshop where the children were introduced into painting by a professional painter.
“The message I passed is that of encouraging the pupils to love trees, take care of tree and to plant more trees,” the artist said.
The choice for kids was particular given that a child that is aware of climate change and its effects on the environment is an asset for the future.
The pupils of GPS Emana were happy with the exercise as they passed on strategic messages such as “I always protect my environment, I protect my classroom and keep it clean, I plant trees in my school”.
The different messages were not only destined to the delegation from UNICEF but to the public at large. The teaching staff of the school could not hide their feelings.
“As head teacher, this is a great honour for us, we have for a very long time been considered as a school in the rural area, but this year we have had new buildings and now this tree painting that comes to remind us of our role in fighting climate change,” Mme Fouda Epse Abe, Head Teacher of GPS Emana Group II told News Upfront.
The celebration of World Children Day 2024 on November 20, coincides with the 35th anniversary of the international convention relative to children’s rights.
