ZAMASAMA PRESENTS
A Guide for Teachers and Parents
Written and Illustrated
by
Benny Rhamdani
Children will:
- Understand what electronic waste, why is it harmful, and why it matters globally.
- Learn about repair culture and the environmental cost of frequent tech replacement.
- Discover that children around the world, like RJ in Indonesia, are taking action to protect the planet.
- Be inspired to take part in local sustainability actions, starting with their homes and schools.
Discussion Questions
Warm-up Questions:
- Have you ever broken a gadget? What did you do with it?
- Why is it important not to just throw electronics in the trash?
Questions During Reading:
- What made RJ stop and think about e-waste?
- How did he turn a concern into a movement?
- Who helped him along the way?
Questions After Reading:
- What do you think happens to electronics thrown in the trash?
- Can you imagine starting a project like RJ’s at school?
- Why is e-waste a global issue, not just a local one?
Activities:
- E-Waste Awareness Poster: Design posters encouraging responsible recycling of electronics.
- Tech Repair Demo: Invite a guest (or use online videos) to show how basic repairs extend device life.
- E-Waste Diary: Keep a weekly log of electronic items used or disposed of and reflect on better choices.
- Country Compare: Research how other countries manage e-waste. What lessons can be shared?
- SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG Explanation:
- SDG 12: Highlights the issue of e-waste and the importance of sustainable consumption and recycling practices.
- SDG 13: Encourages eco-conscious behavior to reduce environmental damage caused by improper disposal of electronics.
Students will recognize the impact of e-waste globally and locally. They will gain practical understanding of sustainability through repair and reuse, and feel empowered by stories of real young changemakers like RJ.
Zamasama is a nonprofit platform that brings together stories from around the world to help children discover that beneath our differences—of culture, language, or belief—we share the same hopes, joys, and dreams.
Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens, and the responsibility of building a more peaceful, tolerant, and empathetic world lies with them.
That’s why it’s vital to instill these values early—through stories that help them rise above the biases they inherit, and see diversity as a strength that unites us all.