2021 Jan Binder Awards: Three Schools Received Awards for Clean and Green Environment
Three basic schools in the Eastern Region of Ghana have won various prizes during the 2021 edition of the Jan Binder Awards for the cleanest and greenest schools. Kristodea Preparatory in Nsawam, Kuano Bright Preparatory at Kuano, and Diamond Kids Academy also at Nsawam came first, second and third respectively.
Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans and Opportunity International Germany hold this annual award to encourage the concept of a clean and green environment in basic schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jan Binder Award edition has been instituted to acknowledge schools that adhere to a clean environment and prioritize the good health of schoolchildren. The awards primarily, focus on basic schools to inculcate positive traits of environmental consciousness in children right from the early stages of their development. It considers schools that have clean classrooms with waste bins that are emptied regularly, decent toilet facilities, clean compounds with handwashing facilities, and green environments, among others.
On December 1, 2021, a commemorative event was held to give awards to the deserving schools in Suhum. It was a joyous and celebratory occasion for the pupils of the award-winning schools. The schools put on drama performances and poetry recitations to communicate the event theme, "Transforming school into a clean and green environment."
Araba Mosner-Ansong, the project's lead, applauded the winning schools and encouraged them to spread the word and advocate for cleanliness in their communities, churches, and schools. She pushed them to make cleanliness, proper sanitation, and tree-planting practices a part of their daily lives to protect their health and the environment. She added, "We encourage all other schools to emphasize excellent environmental governance to guarantee the health and safety of the children entrusted to their care,"
Kuano Bright Preparatory received a budget of 7,000 cedis, while Diamond Kids Academy received a budget of 3,500 cedis (with citations).
About Jan Binder:
Jan Binder, was a young man from Germany who had a strong interest in ensuring that schools in deprived communities were environmentally friendly for kids.
He passed on and to keep his memory alive, his mum (Martha Binder), every year, cycles around Germany to raise funds to reward three schools that are environmentally minded.
