The story of this giant “Rubbish Warrior”

Please take a good look at this giant statue made completely from rubbish! 

Its creators are children (ages 6 -13) from the Lentas area and their adult helpers. As of June 13, 2015, their warrior can be seen at the rubbish collection site between Papadoyiannis and Lentas (later, it will “move” to other sites in the area).

The children made the “rubbish warrior” within the framework of the English classes sponsored by Project Pame e.V Our idea – and hope, is that the children’s giant “Rubbish Warrior” can help inspire all of us to stop for a moment and really think about what we throw away. Especially important is how we dispose of our garbage and what effects this has on our health and environment. The children’s giant Rubbish Warrior reminds us of Poseidon, the mythological Greek god and protector of the seas (of course we don’t mean that Poseidon is garbage – far from it!). The children’s work points out that our seas (and often our landscape and beaches, too) are literally drowning in plastic bags and bottles, tins, cigarette butts and other debris that people have thrown away.

Here you see some of the children making their statue – and the young rubbish warriors in front of their incomplete giant and holding their own “mini” rubbish warriors.

As part of their work on the “Rubbish Warriors” project, the children all went looking for a piece of trash that wasn’t where it should be (you can see their pictures and impressions of some of what they found on display with the now finished giant).

They also looked at photos like these that show what our rubbish collection sites often look like.

During the lessons held while working on this project, the children talked about what might happen to rubbish that’s not put into bins.

Here are some of the things they said: “The wind could blow it down to the beach.” “In winter, the rain takes it to the sea.” “Yuck! I don’t want to go swimming with garbage.” “And what if a fish eats it – and then I eat that fish?” One child also thought about what happens when somebody sets fire to the rubbish collection sites. “Oh no – and then I have to BREATHE garbage.” “And the burning garbage could start an even bigger fire.” “Yeah, that’s true – a big fire could spread to our house.” “Yeah, that’s awful! But what can we do?”

That’s the question that we would like all members of our community (and our many visitors) to think about. “What can we do?” Part two of “The Rubbish Warrior Story” gives you some suggestions and ideas from the children and their teachers and helpers about that question.

But first: Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and think about the question “What can we do?” And: if you see one of the young artists, congratulate them upon their beautiful – and very hard work. As their teacher, I am so proud of them, and I am sure that you are, too! 

I would also like to thank and acknowledge all the grownups who donated their time, energy and ideas to the “Rubbish Warrior” project. Without the contributions made by: Andreas, Angelika, Anita, Barbara, Cyra, Dimitra, Giorgo, Klaus, Kosta, Manoli, Martin, Paul, Petra, Sigi, Stella, Uwe, and Wilmie, this project would not have been possible. You are all stars and help prove that “one person alone can do a little, but many people working together can achieve great things.”

With kind regards, 
Gina Kraft, Head Teacher, Project Pame e.V. English Courses

Please see also ideas from the children regarding waste disposal.