Third East Asian Seas Youth Forum Toolkit - PEMSEA.org

Young Champions for the OceanSharing Our StoriesThis section features some of the stories of your fellow Young Champions for the Ocean on howthey became advocates for the environment.Maria Angelica Orense ReyesWhen I was in grade school, my mother used to ask me tosegregate my used notebooks and test papers. It became a hobbyuntil now. After gathering my old notebooks and scratch papers,we usually bring them to annual recycling fairs or even sell them.I started to get involved in environmental advocacy when I won awriting competition in 2009. Also, I was the project head of “Savethe eARTh” Exhibit of my school where I got the Most CreativeArtwork for my sculpture made from junk.At 19, I founded the “you and eARTh: Promoting EnvironmentalCare through Media and Arts”. The project was chosen to be one ofthe top Philippine projects for Bayer Young Environmental Envoy2010 in Germany by Bayer and the United Nations EnvironmentalProgram. The project was also chosen to be one of the topics for theAsia Pacific Forum 2011: Youth Action on Climate Change whereit was presented in Thailand and presented to the UNEP TUNZAYouth and Children’s Conference 2011 in Indonesia. Currently, Iam one of the two Filipino youth for JEFF Youth EnvironmentalLeadership Program in Asia 2011-2012 and attend meetings inSingapore.Mohd Naufal Khairul AzharWhen I was a kid, my friends and I really liked to go to the beach.We usually collected seashells and helped people pick up trashalong the beach. During those times, I usually asked myself thereason for doing such activities. One afternoon while staring at thevast blue ocean, I realized that God created the sea so people onEarth can live and enjoy it.In Kuala Lumpur, I also usually visit the Kuala Lumpur City CentreAquaria where many aquatic creatures under the clear crystal bluewater can be seen. I could just imagine what would happen to themif our ocean was contaminated. I realized that it’s important toprotect these species, so we can see them swim freely.At my university, I always participate in various projects relatedto saving our Earth. We have recycling projects where we collectpapers, glass and other materials. Using these materials, wemake souvenirs, baskets, etc. We also organize environmentalcompetition so other students can join.From now on, I want to participate in environmental projects as it isa great pleasure to live and enjoy a healthy Earth.11