INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
In Kuje Area council, most schools and community are unaware of the health benefits attached to regular exercise such as; walking, strolling and cycling. It has proven that regular exercise improves the psychological, emotional and mental form stability of a child. Walking or cycling reduces the toxic pollution of the air from car or motorcycles thereby creating a safer environment. Students as well as the community are educated on the safety rules such as using the pedestrian bridge and the meaning of traffic lights and other signs of the road.
In bid to create awareness Mirian Pat Foundation which is aimed at supporting the
education of children (living with disabilities and vulnerable children) who
are unable to further their education due to either their poor family background
and/or displacement. Mirian Pat Foundation who has enrolled 380 students
participated in an event; themed: “CREATING
SAFER AND HEALTY ENVIROMENT FOR STUDENTS WALKING TO SCCHOOL” in
commemoration of the International Walk
to School Day which took place on the 9TH
of October 2019. International Walk to School Day is a one-day event when
school communities walk and bike to school on the same day. Over time, this
event which takes place every October has become part of the movement for
year-round safe routes to school and a celebration. There’s a feeling of joy, independence, and a sense of
adventure that doesn’t fade. When walking or biking, parents and children get
to appreciate things they don’t notice while driving or listening to the sounds
of the neighborhood, seeing friends and neighbors and feeling connected with
their community. Parents, children and friends can enjoy one another’s company
without the usual distractions.
Walking and bicycling events celebrate these
experiences and help make them possible for others. They bring schools and
communities together for a common purpose. Most of all, they are fun!
Our Objectives are:
- To create awareness on physical fitness and mental health gained from Walking or cycling.
- To educate the students/community on the meaning of road signs;
- The dos and don’ts while walking or cycling on the road.
- Build the relationship/ bond within the students.
After our participation the students and teachers gained more knowledge on the benefits on international walk to school day.
Benefits of International Walk Day are:
Healthier Habit: Walking and bicycling to school enables children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones, muscles and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity. Exercise makes students feel calmer and happier; it also improves concentration, making it easier to focus on school In contrast, insufficient physical activity can contribute to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Dos and Don’ts while walking: The students were taught the meaning of the signs on the road such as the traffic light; the meaning of the RED light which means STOP , the YELLOW light which means GET READY and the GREEN light which means GO. Some of the don’ts of walking or cycling eating, fighting or talking to strangers while walking on the road. And some of the dos are obeying the traffic lights and other signs on the road. . Many teachers report that kids who walk and cycle to school are more alert and ready to learn those who arrive by car.
Cleaner Environment: When families decide to lace up their sneakers or strap on their bike helmets to get to school instead of riding in a car, they help reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles.
Stronger sense of community: The common goal of improving conditions for walking and bicycling; brings families, neighbors, school officials and community leaders together. The sense of community also builds as children and parents develop walking and bicycling buddies and chat with neighbors on the sidewalk or path. Walking with their friends can improve sociability and communication skills.
Safer streets: Communities with higher rates of walking and bicycling tend to have lower crash rates for all travel modes. One reason may be that motorists drive more cautiously when they expect to encounter walkers and bicyclists. More walkers and bicyclists can also improve personal security by providing more “eyes on the street.” Also; the student are taught pedestrian safety tips and encouraged everyone to be safe on the road.
The participation of Mirian Pat Foundation raised community and global awareness about walking safety and promotes healthy behavior, the students were happy, encouraged, educated, motivated and wouldn’t mind walking to school knowing all this benefits.
