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Wombles teach care for our common home


Source: Jesuits in Britain

The Wombles have been appointed special teachers of care for our common home. Last Thursday Lynn McWilliams and Teresa Undurruga, Outreach Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator respectively from Jesuit Missions, visited Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall. At the assembly they spoke of the work of Jesuit Missions and the challenges of caring for our common home. Teresa talked about future opportunities around the world for pupils with the JM volunteer programme.

Having traveled from their base in Wimbledon, Lynn introduced some early advocates of recycling - the Wombles of Wimbledon Common. The pupils learned the lyrics to the Wombling song and as the singing was underway, Uncle Bulgaria and another womble, made surprise appearances.

Workshops followed the assembly, for pupils in Upper Elements (Year 6), Lower Elements (Year 5) and Prep (Years 3 and 4). The children considered what they were getting right in terms of caring for our common home either at school or in their own homes. They also thought of ways of improving these efforts, how they can do even better. They came to understand that small but consistent changes in how we use our resources can make a positive impact on the lives of the poorest and those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

On Friday 8 March, Lynn and Teresa were at St Joseph's RC Primary School. After hearing from the Wombles, the children wrote letters to the local supermarkets asking them to reduce packaging, especially the use of plastic. They talked about many ways we can change our habits to reduce the use of this material. Examples to look at are earlier generations, who managed very well without these items.

"The time that Teresa and I spent at St Mary's Hall and St Joseph's Hurst Green was really inspiring," said Lynn. "The young people have lots of energy and enthusiasm and truly want to be agents of change. They asked thoughtful questions about what are the most environmentally friendly options in a world that is very complicated. For example, are electric cars really better for the environment? The pupils considered ways that they do care for our common home and ways that they can be even better at caring for creation."

"Our time with the staff and children of the schools demonstrates that when we work together we can bring about positive change. I think that the Wombles were very impressed and hopeful!"

"Special thanks to Clare McCullough and Fiona O'Connor, and all the teachers for their dedication, creativity and support of Jesuit Missions!"

For the past 22 years, the Wombles of Wimbledon Common have represented Jesuit Missions in the London Marathon, helping raising funds for JM work in some of the most marginalised communities.

Read more about this year's marathon team

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