To better illustrate the harmful effects of climate change surrounding water issues in the daily life of the community, the facilitators initiated a photovoice activity. Photovoice is a visual research methodology undertaken by the community to help them to document, reflect upon, and communicate issues of concern while stimulating social change. Adolescents in Gautampuri and Ghata communities were trained to use mobile phone cameras. Adolescents documented the travails of women who collect water from common sources and carry them to their homes, the piling mound of garbage that percolates into the ground and makes water unfit for consumption, sewage intruding into pipelines that carry water to homes among others. During a debrief session with the adolescents, they were facilitated to explain the reason behind clicking the photograph and the possible impact of the situation in the photograph on water.
The adolescents in Gautampuri and Ghata community clicked photographs/videos related to water supply, water shortage, water storage in the vicinity along with images of bad practices in garbage disposal in the area which turned out to be a big problem for the community. The issue was more acute in rainy seasons when the garbage would be washed to the residential colonies. Further, in the narrow lanes of the community, people indulge in practices like waste disposal infront of neighbor’s home. The drains are clogged as well as due to waste accumulation which also host the pipelines that supply water from the municipality to the homes. In the event of break or cracks in the pipeline in Gautampuri, drainage water is supplied to the homes of the residents thereby putting the health of children at risk. So far, no community action has been taken that can address the issue at source.
Plan of Action prepared by the Adolescents in Gautampuri Colony
Post the photovoice exercise, the adolescents prepared an action plan to fight climate change. The charter contains a set of actionable points for the community to consider in the present and for adolescents in the future. Such action points prepared by the community have the potential to turn the adolescents in the community into future policymakers and decision-makers capable of leading communities to produce sustainable social development.