Turning Trash into Treasure

By Sirjana, Mentor, Rukmini Foundation

On June 5, we celebrated World Environment Day. The theme this year was "Waste to Wonder." I have been with Rukmini Foundation for many years—first as a student, now as a mentor. I have seen many programs. But this one was special.

Students from seven schools came to show what they made from waste materials. They turned newspapers, plastic bottles, cardboard, old clothes, rice sacks, and egg trays into something useful. It was amazing to see what young minds can create when we give them a chance.

One school made a model of the human respiratory system using cardboard and paper pipes. Another made a DNA model. There was a model city made entirely from recycled cardboard. Some students made flower pots, pencil holders, bags, and even jewelry boxes from newspapers.

I spoke with Gyalmo, one of our Bahinis. She confidently explained how she made useful materials from waste. That confidence is something we try to build in all our girls. When they learn to create something valuable from nothing, they also learn to believe in themselves.

The event was judged by Mr. Laxman Dahal from the municipality and other experts. They evaluated each project based on creativity, presentation, practical use, and environmental impact. Every student did their best.

Celebrating the Winners

We gave cash prizes to the best schools. Shikharapur Community School won first place and received NPR 10,000. Setidevi Secondary School, Talku came second with NPR 7,000. Arunodaya Secondary School got third place with NPR 5,000. Pharping Secondary School received NPR 4,000 for fourth place.

But honestly, every student who participated was a winner. They all learned something important—that waste is not waste. It can become something beautiful and useful.

Why This Matters

In Nepal, we have a problem with waste. We throw things away without thinking. These students showed us another way. They showed that with creativity and effort, we can reduce what we throw away and make something new.

This program also taught them about responsibility. They learned that they can do something for the environment. They are not too young to make a difference. That is an important lesson.

This connects to our bigger goals too. We want to build confident, capable young people who care about their communities. When students learn to think creatively about problems like waste, they also learn to think creatively about other challenges.

A Different Kind of Wonder

Sometimes we talk about wonder as something we find in nature—a beautiful mountain, a flowing river, a quiet forest. That is one kind of wonder.

But this day showed me another kind. The wonder of a child looking at a pile of trash and seeing not garbage, but a flower pot. The wonder of a student explaining how cardboard and paper can teach science. The wonder of young people believing they can make the world a little better.

That kind of wonder does not come from the outside. It comes from inside. It comes from teaching children to see possibility where others see nothing.

I used to be one of those students. Now I get to watch the next generation discover that same wonder. And I know that when a child learns to see value in waste, they also learn to see value in themselves.

That is the lesson I will carry from this World Environment Day.

With gratitude,
Sirjana
Mentor, Rukmini Foundation