Week 3 – The most powerful force for change in this world.

By Tessa

October 13, 2019

This week the waves were too big for a trip to the ocean, so we headed to the cool spring fed waters of the Bella Vista River. It was a long trip on dirt road, but in reality we were only a couple of miles from the beach. When we told them, most of the girls couldn’t believe that we were anywhere near the sea.

Our lesson focused on pollution and how what we do on land can affect the sea. When we arrived, the place that literally means “beautiful view” was covered in trash. From plastic bags to foam, lollipop sticks and beer bottles, diapers, cigarette butts and straws.

There was almost a revolt when we told them that we were going to collect trash. Many complained that they didn’t make the mess so why should they pick it up. The mariposas gladly cleaned in their own community, but this was not their home.

We filled six giant rice sacks full of trash and barely made a dent. It was disheartening even for us teachers. We told girls that they were the first of four classes that would be traveling here to collect trash and that together we would make a difference. We explained that they were going to be examples for the community – and people WERE watching.

We asked them to imagine if just one of the people watching us thought about what we were doing, and then they told a friend, who told another friend, who told another, who decide that they should pitch in too, and then another person came to help, and then another. What if people started asking questions about why we were doing this. Imagine if we could teach others about how the land was connected to the sea. Imagine if people decided to carry their trash out.

Imagine. Imagine. Imagine.

Then their ideas started flowing. If we stop the trash from entering the river it won’t flow to the sea, and if it doesn’t flow to the sea, we won’t find it on the reef. We’ll be saving marine life. Exactly.

A little bit of hope and cold water was the best way to end the trip. We hit the repeat button with three more classes.

The mariposas are living up to their motto “I am the world’s most powerful force for change”. Grateful to live and learn with these beautiful young girls.