Some of our encounters in schools resonate with us – and sometimes they evolve into projects, such as our school bottle campaign.
Many primary schools are modern: pupils do not bring 25-cent single-use PET bottles to class; instead, they have reusable water bottles. However, this very positive development has a downside for a small number of pupils: some parents cannot afford a reusable bottle – and some simply choose not to buy one. We encountered this situation at a primary school in the Cologne metropolitan area: out of 24 pupils, 23 placed their personal reusable bottles on their desks when asked by our speaker Rike. Only one pupil did not. When the bell rang for the break, he remained seated and began to weep bitterly. “I have asked my dad so many times, but he is stubborn and keeps giving me the other bottles! I would so love to have a proper bottle!” Rike spontaneously gave him her own water bottle, which featured a marine motif, and cleaned it together with the boy. He thanked her, overjoyed – and the following day, he came specifically to the parallel class where our school programme was taking place to beam and announce, holding the bottle: “This is so cool. Thank you!”
This experience marked the birth of our school bottle campaign. Our aim is to provide pupils with reusable water bottles so that no child is excluded and no further PET bottles are used. Our crowdfunding campaign on betterplace (https://www.betterplace.org/de/projects/141430-schul-trinkflaschen-ohne-einwegplastik) has already raised over €500 – and we are currently sourced for the right supplier for our bottles.
Accordingly, a “bottle donation” offer from the company BAUER Kompressoren at the “boot” trade fair a few days ago was extremely timely: the Munich-based manufacturer of air compressors (e.g. for diving centres and industry) has provided us with water bottles that we will distribute to pupils. Our sincere thanks to you! It is so simple, almost mundane, and yet so essential for a child to leave school a little happier. You will make many children happy!
``` make many children happy!
