KI-E Administrative Year 2025-2026
A FIRST STEP TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE
by Giancarlo Bellina, KI-E Chair Branding, Marketing & Communication
1. Kiwanis Club Zafferana Etnea
The Kiwanis Zafferana Etnea club in Catania promoted nature walks and a Green Painting for schools for environmental awareness and the physical and mental well-being that the natural landscape provides.
SCHOOL GREEN PROJECT
The Green Project is an initiative conceived by the Kiwanis Club of Zafferana Etnea and promoted by President Salvatore Leone and Secretary Luca Patanè as part of the Green Project environmental sustainability education programme. Its aim is to raise awareness in the local community about sustainable development goals, promoting environmental awareness and the physical and mental well-being that comes from the natural landscape.
The project dedicated to schools: Contest for schools on the occasion of Tree Day entitled “The tree teaches me”
“The tree teaches me” invites primary and secondary school students to draw a tree that teaches. Through their drawings and imagination, students will try their hand at drawing and creating a tree that teaches them something.
It was a moment of reflection in which we paused to think together with the students about what trees can teach us. For example, it was possible to learn some lessons from trees such as patience, strength, collaboration and resilience.
The students were able to explore and reflect on how uplifting observing and contemplating nature can be and how precious our connection with the Earth is.
The contest began with a two-hour meeting on Friday, 14 November, with sustainable development expert Lavinia Lo Faro, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Zafferana Etnea and president of the Trucioli Association, who introduced the flora and fauna of Mount Etna and its forests. This was followed by an artistic production phase led by watercolourist Stefania Mazzurco, who supported the students in creating an impromptu work of art on the theme of trees.
Kiwanis provided all the art supplies for the students.
At the second meeting on 21st November, World Tree Day, the three winners (selected by a jury made up of the students themselves) were awarded a set of watercolours. All the children received a certificate of participation, a club pen and a multicoloured pencil.
The project involved volunteer members who coordinated and supported all activities related to the project. These same volunteer members are responsible for promoting the project and encouraging other communities to replicate it, thus contributing to a culture that is more attentive and respectful of the environment and collective well-being.
2. Kiwanis Club eClub Junior Italy
The Kiwanis eClub Junior Italy Service promoted activities included the sale, donation, and planting of olive trees in schools and local communities, with both ecological and solidarity purposes.
On 2 October, our club gathered in Piazza XI Settembre in Cosenza to sell olive tree seedlings for UNICEF.
It was an unprecedented success. The President’s wife, Rosanna Giuliani, sold over 70 seedlings during the pre-order phase.
We had to ask neighbouring towns to supply us with more seedlings as the ones allocated to us sold out immediately.
9 October 2025: The olive trees were delivered to the Brutium Science Centre in Cosenza.
This activity had a dual purpose: the pupils purchased the olive trees and donated them to the social cooperative “L’arca di Noe” (Noah’s Ark). We will return in the spring to plant more seedlings to do good and raise awareness among young people about ecology.
The trees were also planted in each complex of the institute, about three complexes with thousands of students
In the educational aims of the school, an important place has been given to “Solidarity”, encouraging the children to reach out to others with mutual respect. With this in mind, we presented Kiwanis as a service club that benefits all children and young people around the world.
At the Amarelli comprehensive school in Rossano (CS), we brought olive trees to the schoolchildren and children.
We also decided to plant one with everyone’s help at the school as a symbol and testimony to its high ecological value and peace.
We then explained the aims of Kiwanis in favour of children and gave a short lesson on ecology thanks to the school’s teaching staff.
3. Kiwanis Club Sikelia Est
The Kiwanis Club Sikelia Est together with other associations planted trees of all kinds; the tree chosen was the Mimosa, which, like the Olive Tree, has great significance. Children participated in the planting both directly and through drawings.
On 21 November, the Kiwanis Club Sikelia Est carried out a service in Adrano for the third consecutive year. A service that encompasses both the tree festival and the anniversary of the previous day, namely our goal, children’s rights. In fact, together with other associations, we planted trees of all kinds. the tree we chose was the Mimosa, which, like the Olive Tree, has great significance. Children participated in the planting both directly and through drawings. Eight schools took part, and the result was a truly special moment, an indissoluble union between nature and childhood, adolescence, and those who will be the men of tomorrow.
4. Kiwanis Club Modica
The Kiwanins Club Modica met first-year secondary school pupils to illustrate the project in question, Reflections were shared on habits and behaviours to adopt, in order to protect the environment. The first step involved the students planting a sapling in the school courtyard.
On 19 November, a meeting was held at the I.C. ‘S. Marta Ciaceri’ school in Modica with first-year secondary school pupils to illustrate the project in question, which aims to raise awareness and empower them about the need to care for our planet. Reflections were shared on habits and behaviours to adopt in order to protect the environment. The first step involved the students planting a sapling in the school courtyard. President Pina Angelico and Secretary Maria Zingale were joined by Antonio Davi, Lieutenant Governor of Div. 3 South-East Sicily, Club members, teachers and parents. The young students showed remarkable enthusiasm and committed themselves to protecting the environment with sensitivity and participation.