The Green Champ environmental education programme marked another meaningful milestone with a follow-up visit conducted on 28 December 2024 in Neluwa. A team of CUP officials, Harsha Gomes, Dr. Nadee Dissanayake, Nishantha Perera, Sunil Shantha, and Aruna Shantha, visited the home gardens of participating children to observe the progress of the chilli plants distributed three months earlier.

The visit turned into a heartwarming showcase of learning and dedication. Children enthusiastically explained how they cared for their plants, describing challenges such as insects, plant diseases, and unpredictable growth. They also shared creative solutions they discovered to protect their crops from peacocks and other animals.

Many children proudly displayed their chilli harvests, which had already been used at home or gifted to neighbours a simple act that strengthened community bonds. Their meticulously maintained activity books, filled with daily notes on leaf counts, new branches, flowering, and plant health, reflected the programme’s success in building observation skills and environmental responsibility.

Some children have already decided to replant chilli on their own, marking a powerful shift from participation to self-motivated environmental action.

This heart-touching follow-up included visiting children’s homes to see their plants. They proudly shared success stories and challenges proving that environmental learning truly took root.