Classes 6a, 6b and 6c at Kirkel Community School took part in a special project this school year: the Bana bus. This is an information bus that is used as a mobile learning centre and teaches important topics relating to fair trade as part of the Fairtrade concept.
Under the motto "Is(s) guud - the fair banana", the bus provided information at three stations about the path of the banana - from the plantation to the supermarket. The pupils were first able to demonstrate their prior knowledge and then deepen their knowledge at the individual stations. Under the guidance of instructors from Fairtrade Ganztagsgemeinschaftsschule Neunkirchen (GGSNK), they learnt exciting facts about cultivation, transport routes, price trends and many other aspects of the tropical fruit.
The visit by Wynnie Kangwana Mbindyo, Fairtrade expert from the Saarland Fairtrade Initiative, who emphasised the importance of the project, was particularly impressive. She emphasised how important it is to bring young people into contact with the idea of Fairtrade at an early age.
In addition to all the new knowledge, there was also plenty of fun: the pupils were able to slip into banana costumes and taste fair trade bananas. All in all, it was a successful day for everyone involved.
The Gemeinschaftsschule an den Linden has been committed to the topic of Fairtrade for years. Several classes have been recognised as a "fair class" in recent years. Pupils sell fairtrade roses on Valentine's Day and fairtrade products are produced and sold at school festivals. Fairtrade computer mice have also been produced and fairtrade coffee is used in the staff room.
In close cooperation with the Fairtrade community of Kirkel, teachers Alexander Beer and Michael Bollenbach are working with their classes to promote fairer trade and sustainable thinking. Further Fairtrade-related activities are planned for the future - an important step towards permanently anchoring the Fairtrade concept in the school community.
The day of action with the Bana bus was financed by the Saarpfalz district. District Administrator Frank John commented: "I am delighted that the Bana bus has also successfully travelled to the schools under our sponsorship, today to the Kirkel Community School. As a school authority and Fairtrade district, we support projects that familiarise our pupils with topics such as fairness, sustainability and global responsibility. The fact that Kirkel Community School attaches great importance to Fairtrade deserves our thanks and recognition. Many fair school classes at our schools strengthen the Fairtrade family. My thanks also go to all those who make this valuable educational project possible."