Purpose
Increase sustainability in two schools by installing rainwater harvesting systems and introducing bamboo as a sustainable construction material.
Climate Impacts
The following impacts were reported by community members in Amealco:
• Limited water sources
• Reduction in crop yields and suitable pastures
• Biodiversity loss due to drought and heat
• Increased dependency on markets due to drought-induced food and water shortages
Activities
Site identification
A spot under the gutters of an outdoor roofed basketball court at a primary school was selected to install a rainwater harvesting system. This specific spot was chosen for its likelihood of capturing rain from the basketball court’s roof and for its easy accessibility and connection to the school’s pollinator gardens and greenhouse.
Creation of evaluation tools and educational resources
Primary school students collaborated in sharing manuals to calculate rainwater capacity in their home roofs. Additionally, high school students collaborated in sharing a manual on growing bamboo as a sustainable material for construction in schools and creating questionnaires to assess gained knowledge after workshops.
Installation of rainwater harvesting system
Seven water tanks were connected to collect rainwater from the primary school’s basketball court’s roof to irrigate the pollinator garden and for cleaning purposes.
Water conservation classes
Classes related to water conservation, its importance in the face of climate change, and rainwater harvesting were given to the primary school students, including a mini demonstration of the rainwater harvesting process.
Rainwater harvesting workshop
A workshop on rainwater harvesting and climate change was organized for the parents of primary school students.
Bamboo sustainability workshops
Workshops were organized for high school students to learn about the sustainability of bamboo as a construction material.
Bamboo cultivation
High school students prepared the land, planted the bamboo, and put in root barriers to control growth.
project outcomes
project design
Amealco’s mountainous landscape faces climate challenges, including changes in rainfall, higher temperatures, and biodiversity loss. To tackle these issues, a project was implemented in two schools to promote sustainable resource management.
At a primary school, a rainwater harvesting system with seven tanks (6,650 liters total) was installed to recycle water for pollinator gardens and cleaning, addressing water scarcity and biodiversity loss. Water conservation classes were held for 164 students using a demonstration model, where students created mini rainwater harvesting systems and learned about water conservation’s importance in the face of climate change. Additionally, 40 parents attended a workshop on climate change and rainwater harvesting, receiving a manual to calculate potential rainwater collection for their own roofs and a cost-effective harvesting guide.
In the high school, native bamboo was planted and managed by 40 eco-club students. They learned sustainable bamboo management and its use in construction through workshops. The students then planted 30 bamboo plants with root barriers to prevent excessive spread and protect biodiversity. Mechanics students also harvested bamboo for school projects, enabling hands-on learning.
These initiatives are designed to raise environmental awareness and empower both students and community members to adopt sustainable practices. By equipping community members with knowledge and skills related to sustainable resource management, their capacity to address climate-related challenges is enhanced.
Photo credits: Celina Callo-Simonnet
