This February, we are excited to share the incredible progress our centres worldwide have made in expanding and enhancing Green Spaces!
Green Spaces—whether natural or cultivated—offer a place for relaxation while providing numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced pollution, and increased biodiversity. These areas, such as gardens, parks, green walls, and indoor plants, play a vital role in promoting sustainability, education, and well-being. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they also contribute to public health, climate resilience, and urban cooling, making them essential for a more sustainable and livable future.
Our efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. By fostering Green Spaces, we contribute to building healthier communities, enhancing urban ecosystems, and promoting a better quality of life for future generations.
Thanks to the dedication of our teams, the commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness has been truly inspiring.
Existing Green Spaces in Our Centres
Many centres already had impressive green initiatives in place, such as:
- Established flower gardens and herb plantations for culinary and medicinal use.
- Vegetable patches growing onions, cabbages, morning glory, and tomatoes.
- Lush greenery in common areas, including trees, palms, and shrubs.
- Well-maintained bougainvillea walls and hedges for aesthetics and sustainability.
These spaces continue to serve as areas of relaxation, education, and environmental awareness.
Actions Taken to Enhance Green Spaces
Our teams have been actively working on various initiatives, including:
- Establishing gardens with potted plants and planting vegetables like lettuce, green onions, and chilies.
- Introducing air-purifying indoor plants to improve air quality.
- Creating compost heaps to reduce waste and fertilize plants.
- Initiating rainwater collection systems to promote sustainability.
- Involving participants and students in tree planting activities to foster engagement.
- Exploring the installation of green walls to maximize greenery in limited spaces.
From vibrant gardens to innovative sustainability efforts, our centres are becoming greener than ever!
Here are some updates from our teams around the world…
Cambodia
At the Greenway School in Siem Reap, the Cambodia team has expanded their vegetable gardens, introduced air-purifying plants, and started composting. Students have actively participated in these efforts, fostering awareness and engagement in sustainability practices.
China
The China team has established a vegetable garden with sugarcane, strawberries, pumpkins, and more. To further boost sustainability, they are preparing to install a chicken coop, which will contribute to waste reduction and food production.
Indonesia
The Bali team has transformed their canteen area into a green space, involving local staff in planting air-purifying plants, herbs, and vegetables. Their next goal is to create a biopore land to process organic waste more sustainably.
Laos
The Laos team has taken a big step toward greening their space by starting the construction of a flower garden. Looking ahead, they plan to expand and store more greenery once the rainy season arrives in June.
Kenya
The Kenya team has prepared their backyard for a kitchen garden by clearing space and planting banana trees. With the rainy season approaching, they plan to start a full-scale garden with participant involvement.
Nepal
The Nepal team has developed a garden with potted plants, growing vegetables like lettuce and chilies. They’ve also implemented rainwater harvesting and composting to promote sustainability. Their chicken coop helps reduce food waste, making their approach both eco-friendly and efficient.
Philippines
Despite recent flooding challenges, the Philippines team remains committed to creating herbal and vegetable gardens. Their existing space is home to non-flowering trees and shrubs, helping maintain a healthy and green atmosphere.
Vietnam
With a patio garden full of flowers and herbs, the Vietnam team has been creating a relaxing and eco-friendly environment. Plans to expand the garden, introduce more indoor plants, and add shaded seating areas will further enhance the space for everyone.
Sri Lanka
Focusing on volunteer accommodations, the Sri Lanka team has planted potted plants to create a greener, more welcoming environment. Their future plans include planting trees to further enhance the space.
Together, our global efforts are making a real impact and we continue growing greener, one step at a time!