One Sunday in late March, I heard the voices of children and their parents - on a morning walk on my street 12/15. That was how it happened – the idea for “A Street Talk for Earth Day 2023”! But would it be on? As I pondered, the answer came forth. “Voices of the Earth.” Children and parents of Section 12 need to be awakened and educated on the birds found in Section 12. The birds had a story to tell. So did the Tree that some frequently visited in front of our home and garden.

We celebrated Earth Day 2023 on April 22nd with an invitation to parents and children that I personally know. It was important that the number invited was manageable so that there would be participation. Eight children, four parents (one of whom was a father) and even one grandma attended the street talk. A total of 13. It took 40 minutes - planned thus in view of the attention span of the young children between 6-12 years of age.

The talk covered what Earth Day is about and a new set of Tree Posters – one on the Striated Heron (found fishing in the monsoon drain near the playground), one the Crested Goshawk – a hawk eagle that visits our garden and one on the mature Mexican Lilac Tree that provides much shade to all walkers and within which the hawk eagle sits and observes. And one poster on The Earth Child. The tree and the birds were the Voice of the Earth reaching out to the children through me.

An interactive activity took place – an expression of gratitude to the Mexican Lilac Tree by the children.

It was a very successful talk based on the interactive responses, facial expressions of the children and parents during the talk and the interest in participating in the activity conducted.

Thaya Kulenthran

Steering Compassion for the Earth Being