When I hear the word healthy environment, what comes to my mind is a clean, peaceful place where someone can live happily without fear, sickness, or stress. A place where the air smells fresh, the ground is neat, and everything feels safe.
I remember when I visited the village some years ago to stay with my grandmother. That place was so different. Everywhere was green with trees. The air was fresh. Even the water from the well tasted good not like the treated water we drink in the city. People in the village cleaned their compounds every morning, and you would hardly see dirt on the road. It was quiet, with no sound of generators or loud music. That experience opened my eyes. I told myself, So life can be this peaceful and clean. I slept well there because of the peace. I felt free but here in the city, life is different.
In the city where I live now, things are not the same. The air is not always fresh. Sometimes when I walk on the road, smoke from cars and generators fills the air. It makes breathing uncomfortable and the noise from Generators can deaf my ear, horns from cars, people shouting, and music blasting from shops. Sometimes it feels like my head will burst. This is not how a healthy environment should be.
For an environment to be healthy, some things must be in place. First is clean air, without good air, we can fall sick. Breathing in dirty air every day is not good for the body. Then there is clean water, Many people don’t have access to clean water. Some drink from dirty wells or streams. Even in my area, we buy sachet water because the tap water is not safe.
Cleanliness is also very important. When people throw dirt everywhere, the whole place smells bad. Flies gather mosquitoes breed, and sickness comes. Some people sweep only their rooms and leave their surroundings dirty. But a healthy environment means everywhere both inside and outside must be neat.
Another thing is peace and safety. When you live in fear, the environment is not healthy. In the village, I could walk around anytime without fear. Here in the city, once it’s dark, I lock my doors and stay inside because anything can happen. Fear itself is unhealthy.
Honestly, if someone asks me if my environment is healthy, I will say “Not really.” Yes, I try to keep my room clean. I mop, sweep, and throw away waste properly. I even try to keep flowers in front of the house. But what about the air I breathe? What about the noise? What about the gutter in front of the house that is always dirty because nobody cleans it? One person alone cannot make the environment healthy. Everyone has to care.
What can we do to make our environment better? First, people must stop throwing dirt everywhere. The government should also help by providing good waste bins and clearing refuse regularly. People should plant trees and flowers not cut them down. Factories and big companies should stop polluting the air and water. We can also reduce the use of generators when possible.
A healthy environment is for everybody’s good. When the place is clean and fresh, sickness will be reduced, and people will be happier. Even children will grow up strong and healthy. But when everywhere is dirty and noisy, sickness will spread fast, and people will always complain.
I really wish my environment here in the city could be like the village fresh air, peace, clean water, and no fear. But until that happens, I will keep doing my small part to make my own little space clean and healthy. I believe if everyone also tries, slowly things will change.
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w169e03 which the topic is tagged A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
