Final outcome - POSTCARD!!!

(the final work for postcard)

During last days of exchange a group of participants worked on creating a postcard, that also later will be printed and sent to participating countries and distributed in different places!

One of important things, that has to be done in order to get people familiar with idea of saving resources, is promoting this idea through different channels. Postcard is a nice way how to do that and many people use then not only to write messages to people in other countries(actually not too many do that nowadays...), but the coolest ones are being used as bookmarks and for other creative purposes!

Above you can see the final work, which very soon will be printed, but here are other versions of visual material the postcard group generated:

Campaigning in Riga

This Sunday early afternoon reminded me a bit of my first steps in street campaigning back in 2006. It was the European campaign called EURIZONS that started as well in Riga and I remember myself, how stressed and insecure I was.

This time (maybe because I haven't done it for a long time) I was as well a bit skeptical in the very beginning, but the moment I pushed myself and started talking to people made me realize how much I still enjoy that.

I had two really cool discussions. First one with a young girl from Mexico. We wanted to offer her the bottle of water, but she refused. It was not a reason to go away, I started talking and introducing myself, project and the idea what are we doing now. I explained the reason and we started dialogue. What was interesting here, she was simply scared to take water from unknown source especially that in her country, water is a big issue as well.

Second funny conversation was with policemen. They didn't really understand much in the very beginning but then we found help for translation and we got the promise from them that they will help us to save water:) I am not sure how it is going but I truly believe that with the small steps we can make a big difference.



Aga

Ways of saving water

During our exchange participants had to participate in a workshop to get to know everything about water in participating countries and they also had to come up with their own ways, how to save water daily.

Some of their suggested ideas were actually useful and creative, so take a look - also YOU can contribute and start saving water today!!!

An article prepared by participant Noha Hisham:

Save Water. Save Nations !

What would you do if WATER isn't the same, the next following years?

What would you do if your WATER sources are less and less?

Check out our ideas to save most important means of LIFE.

-Reduce your time of a daily shower, we can survive without a bubble bath and at least turn the tap off while shampooing. Right!!??

-What about using a cup of water while brushing teeth instead of running tap water!?

-Some people use a sensor tap too.

-Plastic bottles can be a good means of saving flushing water. Insert a plastic bottle inside the flush box, it saves more wasted water during flushing.

-Washing cars can also be made by a bucket of water instead of the water hose.

-Rain water. A Natural resource that can be easily saved in buckets to water flowers, wash cars or even cleaning grounds.

-Why not use excess washing water in watering flowers or even cleaning floors??

It's easy and simple, we never miss the water till it's gone !!!

Our exchange:)

Welcome to the blog for the youth exchange "4U2C'' held in Riga, Latvia, from 31st July – 9th August!

Here is how our activities agenda went check it out and enjoy it, don't forget to spread our blog !!!

Sunday : The Tunisian group arrived among the rest and there were some ice-breaking games and we discussed some rules and even fears one may encounter during this exchange, that was before the intercultural night. Where each group exchanged national souvenirs, coins and showed costumes and food.

Monday: Monday was the most sporting day, groups were divided and played some outdoor games. The Story of Stuff was a video showed to us on how we lose or consume stuff and how governments should watch out for this issue.

Tuesday: Recycling workshops were tackled that day, we played a cardboard game of brainstorming some ideas for photos of recycled stuff and another game of getting blindfolded and try to find your own way while listening to certain signs. Another workshop was called the 'Siesta Workshop', it was held by the Spanish group, a game on the means of taking a nap in Spain.

Wednesday: Water, the most important source of life was discussed. Every group explained the water situation in its country. Besides, playing some water games to show how much water each individual uses daily. In the evening we checked the Bunker and we had another game ; the Banana game, on means of the transportation and production of bananas or any other goods worldwide.

Thursday:preparation for final products first the paintings about problems in our countries common problems and then division for groups and working in groups already Preparing for the final products and paintings for our problems in each country was just held, a video was also created before the talent show. Members of the Spanish and Egyptian team won this workshop.

Friday: Visiting one of the oldest paper factories on the way from the countryside to Riga was a totally new experience for everyone. We all encountered the steps of making paper.

Saturday : The City Game; fun and knowledge at the same time. Roaming around Riga to discover new places without any help , but only by asking pedestrians in the streets.

Sunday: Participants were grouped into 3 groups; The Social Ad Group, The video Edit and The Street Campaign group. Then all participants went out in the streets to advertise for the main slogan ( Saving Water= A Better Life). Face painted participants with slogans about water distributed bottled water with the sign of 4U2C. Maintaining a conversation with everybody in the streets and telling them about the cause.

We finally achieved it !!!

Save our Environment. Save it for your Children

Written by: Noha Hisham

After exchange

Exchange has finished already few days ago and everybody is safe at their homes. It is time to reflect upon experienced emotions and event, all gained knowledge and friends. (All of participants - you are welcome to share your emotions and impressions over here!)

Just a little more patience - very very soon you will be able to see the very great final works of participants - the video clip, visual material for postcard and report on street campaign as well!!!