Down to Earth in Featerstone Primary School, Hayes.

The SCTC/A Rocha team opened the Down to Earth project in Featherstone primary school, Hayes, West London. The format of the day is working with the children on the scenes of the play through workshops and times of discussion. One group shows the contrast in China between, on the one hand its natural beauty and on the other pollution, caused by industrial development. The second group explores the challenge faced by a south Indian village living with the constant threat of elephant raids. This land is actually part of an A Rocha project in India, whose workers discovered that Indian elephants (an endangered species) do not like chili. Soaked chili ropes have helped to keep humans and elephants at a safe distance lessening the risk of elephants destroying crops and people having to kill elephants. Finally the third group creates a museum of extinct and endangered animals with the final exhibit, to the surprise of everyone, being human beings. The Featherstone pupils put on a really good performance, which was made especially memorable, by the gang of four who, in Dickensian fashion, are taken on a journey to visit these 3 scenes in order to decide if they will be grateful in their actions to the planet or wasteful. These children were probably the best we have had all year and made the lines their own. In the end they decide to care for the planet and everyone finishes rapping out ways to care for the planet. Photos will be added in due course. The next project is on Nov 17th in North School, Southall.