By: Dina Magdalena (Volunteer Bumi Panda)

Bumi Panda is once again educating students in Bandung about the environment. On Wednesday (24/05), through the Bumi Panda Goes to School activity, the Bumi Panda team invited students at BPK International School Bandung to learn more about the Earth and animals. The students, who are still in kindergarten, were eagerly awaiting the presence of Bumi Panda's volunteers.

Sani Firmansyah, WWF-Indonesia's Supporter Center Officer told the students about Earth and animals. He explained about the forest and its function for life. "Forests are very useful for life. Does anyone know the benefits of forests?" asked Sani. Mike, one of the K2 students answered, "It's the home of animals, sis!" Sani also explained that apart from being a home for animals, forests also function as a producer of oxygen for the needs of living things, a source of medicine, a source of food, and many more.

"But nowadays, forests are getting smaller because of illegal logging. As a result, animals can become extinct," Sani added. Furthermore, he explained the various endangered animals that are the focus of WWF-Indonesia's conservation efforts. "There are many protected animals in Indonesia. But the main focus of WWF-Indonesia are six animals that are also called umbrella animals. Why is it called that? Because these animals have a wide range of life so that the balance of the ecosystem in nature will be maintained. The six umbrella animals are the Javan rhino, orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant, sea turtle, and whale shark," Sani explained.

After discussing forests and umbrella animals, the students engaged in a discussion about how to protect the Earth. "We can protect the animals in the forest in an easy way. We can start by using paper and tissue sparingly, saving electricity, saving water, and not littering. We can also utilize file items by recycling them," explained Dina, one of Bumi Panda's volunteers. "I recycled a cardboard box into a pencil case!" exclaimed Ethan, a K2 student. "Well, you've helped protect the Earth, our common home. Easy, right?" added Dina.

The teachers were also very happy to see the students active in this session. "With this presentation from WWF-Indonesia, our children can know firsthand what the impact of the environment that is not maintained. Hopefully, our children can become a green generation that can save this Earth," said Jane, one of the teachers of BPK Penabur International School Bandung.