The document summarizes a project by students at Navy Children School in Goa, India to clean up and improve Vaddem Lake, a polluted lake in their community. The students identified the lake as an important community issue, conducted research on the problems, raised awareness through a rally and meetings with local leaders, and worked with authorities to implement solutions like a cleanup and adding walking paths. The community saw improvements to the lake and the students learned about enacting positive change.

1. Name of School : NAVY CHILDREN SCHOOL
Address : Airport Road ,Dabolim ,Vasco, Goa
Name of Students (core team) : DEEPJYOT AHLUWALIA,MADHAV M ANAND, SHLOKA PANDEY, SPARSHI
MATTAS, SONU S .VEGLEKAR [NCS GREEN TEAM]
Name of Mentor Teacher: JASPINDER KAUR
Tel./Mob. : 9890531027/7798889766 E-mail : sanchianand4u@gmail.com
Give a title to your story of change: JAGRITI
The week in which it was implemented: FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2012
Q1. List the situations/problems in your school/community that bother you.
Ans. These issues of our school and community were suggested by students of Navy Children
School, Goa:
Stray dog menace in school.
Water/soil pollution in and around the city.
Garbage disposal in and around the city.
Poor condition of the Vaddem Lake in the city.
Q2. Who was affected by the situation/problem and what did they say?
Ans. On examining each of these issues in detail, we realized that most of these problems
affected the larger community of the city itself, not just the school community. The students and
staff of the school being members of the city were naturally also affected by these problems. All
these issues had been taken up regularly by the local press and also by citizens groups. They
all felt that these problems could only be solved by legislative action and involvement of the
highest rung of government.
Q3. State the problem you chose and why you chose it.
Ans. After much deliberation, the students chose to take up the issue of the Vaddem Lake. The
rationale behind the choice was as follows –
The Lake lies at the heart of the city and its location gives it a high visibility value.
It becomes a focus of attention during festive seasons when it is lit up with fairy lights
and ornate centre pieces.
There is a large residential area surrounding the lake on three sides and a main city
arterial road on the fourth side, making it an issue which affects a substantial number of
people in the city.
The lake is highly polluted with both solid waste as well as sewage lines draining into it.
It gives out a stench and has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The poor lighting around the lake makes it a hazard and a place for anti-social activities.
This is an issue which could be tackled at the local administration level.
Q4. List the different solutions you came up with and which one did you choose
to implement and why?
Ans. The students suggested the following solutions to the problem –
Fund raising for purchasing garbage bins for the Vaddem Lake area.
Taking out an awareness rally in the area.
Approaching civic authorities.

2. Finally it was decided to adopt a multi-pronged approach to the problem. This included
an observation visit and speaking to local residents, approaching the civic bodies,
involving the local MLA, and finally creating a people’s movement.
(A detailed report of the actions undertaken is attached)
THIS IS OUR STORY OF CHANGE
What began a week ago on 1st Sept 2012 as a project entry in the Riverside Design For Change
Contest, has become a pet project of NCS, Goa.
STEP- I : FEEL
In the first phase of this project, the school students brainstormed and selected a worthy cause
towards which they felt they could make a genuine difference. After much deliberation, the
children decided to take up the cause of the Vaddem Lake in Vasco town which is in urgent
need of cleanliness and a facelift. The students felt that the Lake, if promoted as such, could
become a community recreation point.
Once the project was identified, the students went on an observation visit to the lake, examining
closely its current state, the sources of pollution and then also gathering the views of the local
residents. Armed with their observation notes, the kids then discussed the next plan of action

3. .
STEP- II : IMAGINE: The third phase saw a group of students having a meeting with the MLA of
Vasco, Mr. Carlos, the Chief Officer of Municipal Corporation of Murmagoa, Mr. Agnelo
Fernandes and Father Jose A. Costa from the St.Andrew’s Church who are the owners of the
Lake, on Sept 3rd . The children interviewed the authorities and received valuable inputs about
the issues related to the lake. Heartened by the encouragement and support extended to them,
the students prepared for the next step towards their goal.

4. STEP-III :DO
In order to collect funds for the entire project, the students decided to raise the money through
donations during a Musical Night which was being conducted in the school by our own students.
The project was able to collect Rs.1060/- which was used for making banners and posters.
In the next phase, on 4th Sept, the students reviewed the steps taken thus far and prepared
banners, SMS messages and posters for the awareness campaign that they were planning. The
children took care to ensure the minimum use of paper in this campaign and to spread the
message of using eco-friendly Ganesh idols for immersion in the lake.
On 5th Sept, taking some time out of the Teacher’s Day celebrations in school, the team
continued it’s preparations for the Rally which was planned for the next day. This also included
a discussion on how the rally would take place.
In the 5th phase of the project which commenced on 6th Sept, the team held a rally in the vicinity
of the lake in order to create awareness about the importance of keeping the lake clean. The
students of Stds VI & VII who participated sent SMSs to local residents and owners of
commercial enterprises in the area. They took out a procession around the lake. The rally got an
excellent response from all those who were in the area with many assurances of support. MLA
of Dabolim, Mauvin Godinho was also present on the occasion and assured the students that he
would address the issue on a priority basis. They came away from the rally with an appointment
to meet the MLA on Tuesday, 11th Sept to discuss the matter in more detail.As promised by the
MLA, he gave them time and discussed the issue in detail with the team that met him. During
the discussion he assured the students that swift and definite action would be taken to clean
and beautify the Vaddem Lake. The children were thrilled by the response they got from the
MLA and looked forward to seeing the changes.
The authorities soon swung into action and within a matter of a couple of weeks the citizens of
Vasco were delighted to see a rapid transformation of the Vaddem Lake. A concrete walk-way,
protective fencing, benches, anti-littering notices and a cleaning drive have all been put in place.
This brings to fruition the initiative taken by the students of Navy Children School, Goa to bring
positive change to the larger community.

5. The project has helped the students not only to understand the finer aspects of the working of
civic bodies, but also the impact of people’s movements. It has helped to empower them and
increase their confidence. It has been a tremendous journey of discovery for the children and a
true design for change for the citizens of Vasco-da-Gama.

6. SHARED WITH THE MEDIA – THE NAVHIND TIMES REPORT
In the follow-up observation visit, the students learnt from the local residents that
the stench has disappeared. There is a marked reduction in the mosquitoes in
the area. They are very happy with the bright lighting and comfortable benches
which have helped to make it a popular community centre. Although more has to
be done, this is a positive step towards real change

7. The youtube link which includes the interview with the MLA of Dabolim ,Vasco will be forwaded later as there are
some technical problems in the school today.
Thank you for your support and wonderful ideas which encouraged us to bring about such a beautiful change in our
society . Now we will start project in our school to bring wonderful changes.
With regards: Jaspinder Kaur (program co-ordinater)