This programme had two phases: the Youths’ Guinea Pigs Program and the Flowers and Trees Planting Program. Both projects had the shared objective of raising the awareness of young people to be responsible and respect their environment.

The Youth Guinea Pigs Program helped young people in the community by providing them with both an income and a source of high-protein food. Each youth was given two guinea pigs, a male and a female. The children and their families passed over the gift to another youth or family in need when their guinea pigs had bred. When the youth had given their guinea pig they were then free to use the remaining guinea pigs for their own purposes: to sell, eat for protein and/or use droppings as organic manure in gardens or farms. Through hands-on learning, RUDEC has been teaching young people how to take care of these animals. To date, 10 families have benefited from this program, receiving 40 valuable guinea pigs.

RUDEC’s Flowers and Trees Planting Program encouraged youths to take care of the environment through the cultivation and planting of flowers and trees in a local community garden. This project not only helped young people to be aware of and appreciate the fast changing environment in which they live, but also greatly enhanced the natural beauty of the area. 20 families were involved in this project.