Project “Children's Voices
about Problem of Domestic Wastes in Ukraine”
Although not by the living standards, but at least by the amount of wastes, Ukraine doesn't leave behind Europe. About ten million ton of waste generates every year and more that 160,000 hectares of lands are set aside for landfills in Ukraine (there are about 700 landfills in each village and town). Millions of tons of wastes poison soils, water and air rather that make profit for poor country. According to the forecasts of international and national experts environmental situation in Ukraine is tending to be dangerous, since waste processing is at the low level in Ukraine.
The project “Children's Voices about Problem of Domestic Wastes in Ukraine” was implemented by the Kharkiv City Environmental NGO “MAMA-86-Kharkiv” and supported by the grant of the Global Anti-Incineration Alliance (GAIA).
The project was aimed at:
- turning public attention to the environmental problems;
- raising awareness of young residents of Kharkiv city and their parents about problems of domestic wastes and dangerous of its incineration;
- cultivating solicitous children's attitude to environment by means of dissemination of informational materials, holding series of lectures for children, participation in environmental activity and cooperation with mass media.
A children's drawings competition “City without Wastes” was the main project element and took place during March–May 2003. Children under 18 were suggested to develop creatively five topics, including:
- Impact of human activity onto environment;
- We dream about clean environment and city;
- How to make city clean and beautiful;
- Incineration is dangerous for mankind;
- Second life of domestic wastes.
After preliminary selection 131 children's drawings were submitted for the competition from 15 Kharkiv schools and from Kostyantynivka city (Donetsk oblast). All of them are very bright and demonstrate deep understanding of the waste problems and solicitous attitude of participants to the state of environment.
The topic “We dream about clean environment and city” (30% of drawings) was the most interesting and closely relating to the children's imagination. The topics “How to make city clean and beautiful” (26%) and “Impact of human activity onto environment” (24%) also interested children. Difficult for children's understanding topic “Incineration is dangerous for mankind” (7%) didn't leave children indifferent. Working on topic “Second life of domestic wastes” (13%) children demonstrated real creativity and fantasy.
The best drawings were awarded by the qualified jury, including 66 children that were awarded for active participation in the competition. 34 young artists were the competition diploma winners. Olga Svydlo, 15-years old, was awarded by grand-prix for the work “Let our city to be colorful” that illustrates thematic calendar on 2004—2005. The best drawings in each topic were used for preparation informational materials, including booklet/abloom about domestic wastes in Ukraine, and leaflet about dangerous of wastes incineration and GAIA activity.
In addition, a series of lecture about problem of domestic wastes in Ukraine and dangerous of its incineration was conducted among children.
On November 29, 2003 the project presentation and awarding ceremony was held in Kharkiv. About 120 young artists, their parents and teachers attended the celebration ceremony.
Contact information:
Olga Tsygulyova
Head of Kharkiv City Environmental NGO “MAMA-86-Kharkiv”
Tel .: (0572) 16-95-67
E-mail:
