In December 2021, St. Andrew High School, Bandra proudly presented the fifth edition of Yeh-lo Santa. While the Red Santa gives gifts to children at Christmas time, the Yellow (Yeh-Lo) Santa collects gifts from children after Christmas and distributes these gifts to the underprivileged in the community. Every year, the programme sees a new theme. While in 2017 (Yeh-lo Santa) and 2018 (Santa Car-a-van) focussed on underprivileged children, 2019 (Santa SurpRice) saw sacks of rice generously given to the poor and 2020 (Santa Kaun-spiracy) had students and their families reaching out to the community to ensure basic necessities for all during a COVID Christmas.
The theme for 2021 was Save Yeh-Lo Santa! Zero Out Carbon! Post COP26 at Glasgow, world leaders have armed their countries with new strategies to counter carbon emissions. India, the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, made the boldest pledge of them all – to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070. (See page 2 for India’s 5-point action plan.) While 2070 may seem too long term a horizon for most adults, for today’s children, it is their future at stake. Keeping this in mind, Principal Fr. Magi Murzello chose the theme for the campaign. He also twisted the lyrics of the catchy ‘Why This Kolavery Di’ to ‘Why Is Coal-our-worry, Dear’ with apologies to Dhanush. (See page 5 for the lyrics and YouTube link to the video).
The students at St. Andrew’s are now learning strategies to reduce and even neutralise their carbon footprint. They have already learnt the first basic rule – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – via a pedal dustbin designed specifically for garbage segregation. These bins were gifted to the students in a specially designed reusable bag that folds into a small pouch – very easy to tuck inside a handbag/ purse while out shopping. There was also a Zero Out Carbon folder with three green leaves and a special marker pen. Students were requested to write down their personal strategies to reduce their carbon footprint and return them to the School.
On 26 January 2022, students took a pledge to Zero Out Carbon and hung the leaves on the ‘Tree of Promises’. This tree, made from recycled plastic bottles and waste products, stands outside the School lobby. Continuing with the ‘26’ theme, on 26 February 2022, the School will collect empty tetra packs to hand over for recycling. The benches made from these tetra packs will be sent to a rural school. On 26 March, students will collect old newspapers and, on 26 April, empty plastic bottles will be collected for recycling. On 26 May, the School will document success stories from students’ homes – how the bins have helped recycling, how students have reduced their use of plastic, etc.
St. Andrew High School, Bandra is perhaps the first school in India to join the country’s offensive against carbon emission. Will your school join in too so we can make this a national movement? Don’t make sacrifices; make a choice… change your lifestyle! Be a Zero Carbon Hero.
