Pune: Church of God University Student Volunteers Lead Environmental Cleanup Drive in Wanowrie

Wanowrie, 22nd January 2024: A dedicated group of about 120 volunteers from ASEZ, a university student volunteer organization affiliated with the World Mission Society Church of God, took to the streets of Pune for a significant environmental cleanup initiative.

The cleanup drive, conducted from 9 am to 11 am on Sunday, covered Vittal Rao Shivakar Road, extending from Samvidhan Chowk Wanwadi to Inamdar Hospital Fatima Nagar.

As the lively atmosphere enveloped the cleanup route, passers-by expressed gratitude to the enthusiastic volunteers, contributing to a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing environment. Pune, a thriving educational and cultural hub, often grapples with litter concerns in densely populated areas, impacting the city’s charm and causing inconvenience to citizens.

Maithili Manakwad, a Social Activist and Ex-President of the Rotary Club of Pune, lauded the efforts of ASEZ students. She expressed her interest in collaborating with ASEZ for future cleanup initiatives, particularly focusing on the Mulla Mutha River.

Wanwadi Ramtekdi Ward Office of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) extended its full support to ASEZ’s volunteer work, appreciating their dedication to cleaning activities. Nisar Mujawar, DSI of the Health Department, provided valuable support by providing disposable hand gloves, face masks, water bottles, and more. Mujawar commended the students for their consistent enthusiasm, marking his tenth collaboration with ASEZ in the past year.

The cleanup effort covered a 1.5 km stretch over two hours, involving approximately 120 ASEZ members, including seniors and junior college students from institutions like St. Vincent’s College, Poona College, Wadia College, F.C College, and more. The team collected a substantial two tons of household and classified waste, including cigarette butts, discarded paper, disposable straws/cups, and plastic bags, which were efficiently disposed of in PMC garbage vans.

ASEZ, an international volunteer organization for Church of God members worldwide, emphasizes the motto ‘Let’s save the Earth from A to Z.’ The organization has spearheaded the ASEZ Blue Carbon (ABC) movement and global environmental cleanup initiatives in various states, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Karnataka. The ABC movement focuses on marine ecosystem purification activities, contributing to blue carbon conservation and carbon neutrality reduction.

Beyond India, ASEZ engages in crime prevention, community volunteer activities, and disaster relief globally. The organization has received recognition, including a gold medal from the United States, for its outstanding services and contributions to the green world.

ASEZ’s collaborative efforts extend to 154 organizations worldwide, including international bodies, governments, universities, and related institutions. With the participation of 190 scholars from 20 countries, including the former Vice President of Guatemala, ASEZ is making significant strides in global environmental initiatives.

The recent ‘2023 Global ASEZ Organizational Conference’ in Korea attracted 1,500 participants from 500 universities in 40 countries. The conference focused on themes such as climate change adaptation, prevention, fostering global citizenship, and adopting the ‘U500 joint declaration’ representing human success and a sustainable society.