In January and February 2009, the Small Steps campaign has been reaching out to school children in our area. So far, we have visited three schools and spoken to around 900 children. The first visit was to the Edayanchavady government school. One hundred and ten children attended the presentation. At the Tailapuram government school, close to Tindivanam, we had an audience of 600. The third school was the Kolping School in Periyar Kallapet, where 180 children participated.

The presentations were a huge success. We began by asking the children what they know about pollution. There were lively discussions and the students became aware of the dangers of plastic bags to their environment. Each child made a pledge to inform ten people in their neighborhood about using cloth bags as an alternative to plastic. The children were all given a bag to start the movement. School presentations are a fantastic way to meet a large, receptive audience, and the children are willing and enthusiastic to spread the message in their communities. If we want to see any changes in the future, education is the way forward.