‘Stories from Here and Beyond’ Tackle the Issue of Water Pollution

PANJIM:
Ahead of International Water Day to be celebrated on 22nd March, Communicare Trust unveiled the book ‘Histórias Daqui e Dali’, which translates into ‘Stories from Here and Beyond’ arising out of a unique collaborative project involving school students from India and Portugal. Authored in four languages English, Portuguese, Konkani and Hindi, the book includes stories and illustrations penned by school students on the subject of water pollution. The book takes the reader on a journey across rivers and oceans and attempts to inspire readers to develop innovative ways to reduce water pollution.
The book was launched by Inês Figueira, Delegate, Fundação Oriente, Sister Celine Pinto, Principal of Auxilium School, Rui Andrade and Raquel Salgueiro from Portugal and Nalini Elvino de Sousa, Manager of Communicare Trust.
The book authored by 400 (200 from each school) students from two schools, Auxilium High School, Caranzalem, Goa and Alberta Menéres School located in Sintra, Portugal focuses on water pollution and the problems it causes. The book offers the reader a peak into the thoughts and aspirations of children between ages 10 to 12 years and their views on water pollution. In order to be accessible to a larger number of children, the book is authored in four languages – English, Portuguese, Konkani and Hindi.
The idea of the book came through Communicare Trust who initiated the collaboration between schools in the two countries. Students from both schools were asked to write a story on the subject of water pollution. The schools then exchanged stories which was followed by drawing up of illustrations for the stories by the students. The students also created two animated short films based on both stories.
The first story titled ‘Amália and the Shell beach’ is written by the students from Alberta Menéres School from Portugal and is illustrated by the students of Auxilium High School, Caranzalem where Amália is illustrated as a young girl living on a beach which is filled with beautiful sea shells. The second story titled, ‘Uma Aventura Subaquática” which means ‘The Underwater Adventure’ is about the Mandovi River and the solution to the litter dumped into the waters. This story is penned by the students of Auxilium High School, Caranzalem, Goa and illustrated by the students from Alberta Menéres School, Sintra, Portugal.
Nalini Elvino de Sousa, Manager, Communicare Trust explained, “This is just the beginning, we plan to take this project to more countries. We know that students learn a lot more about different cultures and traditions through the exchange of idea sharing based on simple themes which are a global issue such as water pollution.”
Said Sister Celine Pinto, Principal, Auxilium School, “The collaboration between the two schools from two different countries to produce this book was something we have never done before. We thank Communicare Trust for taking up the initiative.”
Added Danica Da Silva Pereira, Illustrator who contributed to the book said, “I feel like I came into this project by chance, as an illustrator I did not get the opportunity to work with children and illustrate a book written by children. I am thankful to Nalini and Communicare Trust for giving me this opportunity, I have gained a lot of experience working with the students, I am grateful.”
‘Histórias Daqui e Dali’ will be launched a month later in Portugal (on May 14th in the presence of Ambassador of India in Portugal- K Nandini Singla and UNESCO). The book has been supported by Dempo Group of Industries, the Ministry of Culture in Portugal, Portuguese based companies Águas de Portugal and Resiquimica. The book has the seal of UNESCO.