My name is Rayvon du Plessin. I'm from Cape Town, South Africa, and I was part of the climate change program, which we were involved in alongside German Youth in tackling climate change issues that affects us personally as citizens over the globe. And along with this program, we learned so much stuff together, e.g. when the German students were in Cape Town in South Africa we learned something very interesting: how to build a permaculture garden, which personally I before did not know how to do it. I have learned so much stuff which I have used in my personal life from that permaculture garden, how to grow vegetables, which vegetables grow in which season. And to me it was something very great. I was part of the learners who got the chance to go to Germany. And we were taught so much in Germany, not only for climate change, but also we got to meet families, friends, and we learned a lot about plants and forests.

What I personally expected when going to Germany? It might seem weird, but I expected us to be excluded from everyone else. I didn't expect to be welcomed to such open arms. I didn't expect to share such similarities Germany and South Africa. When I was in South Africa, I always thought of it as just an expensive country with expensive cars driving around. But when I arrived in Germany, I saw that they go through the same stuff we go through as we are struggling through financial issues. They also have these things that I have to struggle with. So my expectations were definitely changed. Before I went to Germany, I always thought that I would be going to this rich country where everyone is well off and don't need to worry about anything. But when I got there, I found out that they share the same similarities to us.

Once you go into the villages, into these people's daily lives, you actually see that my expectation wasn't confirmed in such a way that at ease what I thought it was. So it was only confirmed half and half, 50:50.

Oh, I learned a lot about climate change, but what stood out for me was that before I even thought about the topic climate change, I never thought it really affected me in a way that I had to worry about, how am I gonna live or I have to change things. So I learned that me personally, has also, in a small way, contributed to the climate change, the Earth warming up. Before I never used to worry about recycling certain bottles and cans. I would just throw it all in one bin. But now I'm worried about what if I throw this glass in year and it doesn't end up being reused. So I learned that small acts of kindness, or small acts of your help, can really bring a difference, and I have implemented those stuff into my life. Personally, I have learned that throwing a paper on the floor or on the ground wouldn't just end up down the road. It will end up so far. e.g., it will end up in the ocean, in water somewhere, in waters people have to drink, which isn't very hygienic. So when I'm eating a packet of chips, I'm eating a packet of sweets, I always make sure not to throw the paper on the ground, but instead keep the paper until I get access to a bin or access to a place where I can recycle it. So I've learned to recycle and reuse and use products that are not harmful to the Earth or harmful to our climate.

Well, what stood out for me learning about the peatlands was that, for me, I thought it was always a solid piece of ground, that couldn't move. But when we went in Germany on one excursion, our tour guide asked us to jump up and down, and we actually jumped up and down, and you could feel that the peatland was moving. And to me, that is just something really interesting, because I never thought that something I thought was a solid ground would actually be able to move.
What I learned from being part of the climate change project is that peatlands are the highest emitters of CO2 gases when they are dry. And that is why it is also important to keep them wet when they are dry. And I really think that is an interesting fact, because in South Africa, we also have peatlands. But we were never taught such stuff. And it is something nice that I was taught in it. I will always keep it and I hope to further we are in South Africa.

Personally, I was, I was really shocked when I got to Germany, because I got to meet some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet in any part of the world, some of the most generous people. And it's not something you expect when you hear about Germany or when you hear about a European country. It's not part of their culture, but it is an amazing trend that they carry out through the generations. So we all don’t matter where you come from. I thought I would be or we would be treated differently, but we were accepted with open arms. And I really think that is wonderful.