Laura, an 11th-grade student at CSIL, first encountered Laudato Si’ while studying at Maria Auxiliadora School in Comoro. What began as a lesson quickly turned into a personal mission to bring its message of caring for our common home into her community. Today, her Action-Oriented Learning project is centered on Laudato Si’, and she has been actively organizing clean-up activities with her neighbors and local authorities to keep their village clean. “I want people to understand that throwing rubbish everywhere is not only dirty but harmful for our health and future,” she shared.
Her commitment shows that Laudato Si’ is not just for the classroom or only for people of a certain faith. This encyclical is written for all, inviting every person to take responsibility for creation. In Timor-Leste, where littering is still a widespread challenge, the words of Laudato Si’ remind us that caring for the environment is an urgent and shared duty. Laura’s actions demonstrate how students can lead by example, inspiring others to reflect and take part in building a culture of ecological awareness and responsibility.
From the perspective of education, Laura’s journey also shows the importance of translating knowledge into action. Learning about Laudato Si’ in school opened her eyes, but putting it into practice in her neighborhood has allowed her to become a source of inspiration for both her peers and her community. These small but meaningful acts—cleaning, raising awareness, and mobilizing others—are more than just community service; they are investments to a better future for all.
Let us join Laura and many young people like her in taking steps to protect our common home. Our planet can only become a safe and life-giving place if we care for it together, today. After all, as Laura reminds us through her example, change begins when one person dares to take action and invites others to follow.
Laura leaves us with this message: “If each of us takes responsibility, even with small steps, together we can make our environment better. The earth is our home, and it depends on how we care for it today.”
Written by: Lucrecia Nessi, ETR Volunteer