Peru: students take part in a writing and drawing contest to prevent mercury pollution

To raise awareness about the risks of mercury and promote responsible practices, students from various educational institutions in Peru actively participated in the story and drawing contest "Expedición Mercurio." This initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment (Minam) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the planetGOLD Peru project, with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UN Environment Programme, and Inca One Gold Corp.

The contest took place in the mining areas of Puno (Ananea), Piura (Suyo, Sapillica), and Arequipa (Chala, Chaparra), with the presence of artisanal and small-scale gold mining as part of the awareness actions of the GEF-funded planetGOLD Peru project. A total of 122 stories and drawings were received from students of the I.E.S. Técnico Industrial in Ananea, I.E. Secundaria in Sapillica, I.E. Almirante Miguel Grau in Suyo, I.E. Simón Bolívar in Chaparra, and I.E. Hortencia Pardo y Mancebo in Chala.

The stories and drawings creatively depicted the negative impacts of improper mercury use in their districts and the importance of creating local changes to make activities like small-scale and artisanal gold mining cleaner and more responsible.

The winning story, "Un despertar milagroso" (A Miraculous Awakening), written by Ismael Ramos, a student at I.E. Simón Bolívar in the Chaparra district, Arequipa region, tells the story of Alejandro, who lives in an agricultural and fishing area that mysteriously experiences changes in the water, soil, and air. Alejandro begins a search for the cause and must confront mercury; this encounter causes him to lose consciousness. After a long time, he wakes up miraculously, inspiring his community to take care of the environment.

The winning drawing was created by Karla Pumarino, a student at I.E. Hortencia Pardo Mancebo in the Chala district (Arequipa).

The award ceremonies were held during the second half of May at each educational institution with the participation of representatives from Minam, UNDP, the Educca Programme of the Municipality of Ananea, teachers, and students. The six students who achieved 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the story and drawing categories were awarded for their outstanding performance with tablets, backpacks, and school kits:

• 1st place drawing: Karla Pumarino from I.E. Hortencia Pardo Mancebo in Chala

• 2nd place drawing: Heydy Socantaype from I.E. Simón Bolívar in Chaparra

• 3rd place drawing: Erick Alberca from I.E. Almirante Miguel Grau in Suyo

• 1st place story: Ismael Ramos from I.E. Simón Bolívar in Chaparra

• 2nd place story: Osiris Walter from I.E. Hortencia Pardo Mancebo in Chala

• 3rd place story: Marco Arpita from I.E.S. Técnico Industrial de Ananea

The contest has not only sparked the students' interest in clean and responsible practices to avoid mercury pollution but has also raised greater awareness about environmental issues, opening a space for dialogue among students, teachers, and parents, and contributing to the formation of more responsible citizens committed to caring for the planet.