Story: Dr Shahla Gondal
I am a vintage industrial shelf made of green-painted wood, and my story begins in a quiet area of Oslo. Once upon a time, I stood in a Siemens factory, where my compartments held machine parts and tools. I listened to the exhausted breaths of workers around me. Throughout the day, items were placed on and removed from me, and at night, the silence of the factory filled me with peace. My green-painted wood faded over time but continued to endure with resilience.
Then came the day when the factory shut down. Everything in it was dismantled and moved, and I, once a central figure of importance, became an old relic. I was taken to the home of a woman named Catherine, where I spent some time adorning her room. My compartments were filled with books, decorative items, and cherished photographs. But as time passed, newer items replaced me, and I was sent to the basement. I spent years in the cold, dark loneliness, wondering if my story had come to an end.
One day, Catherine decided to move houses. I was listed for sale on a second-hand items website. My price was set at 2000 NOK, but fate had other plans. Mr. Walter, the principal of an international school, spotted me and liked me instantly. After some bargaining, I was sold for 500 NOK and taken to his school.
When I arrived at the school’s staff room for the first time, all eyes were on me. A special place against the wall was chosen for me. Two coffee machines were placed on top of me, and my compartments were filled with tea and coffee mugs, sugar, and other supplies. Ms. Bendré lovingly cleaned my green wooden compartments. The world around me was bustling with life.
In this staff room, something is always happening. Sometimes the sound of the TV fills the air; other times, music echoes through the room. Children’s chatter and laughter resonate in the halls and reach my compartments, while the large window in the staff room offers a view of the lively basketball court. Kids run and play, and their joy breathes new life into my old wooden frame.
Recently, during Christmas preparations, the children used the staff room kitchen for baking. Their chatter and laughter created a joyful atmosphere around me.
Mr. Walter shared my story with everyone. He explained that I was a relic of an old factory, a part of a world of machinery for many years. He emphasized the value of repurposing old items rather than discarding them.
The school incorporates lessons about recycling into its curriculum. Students from every grade participate in small projects, such as repurposing old items for art, planting in empty bottles, and creating reusable objects from old clothes. Through these activities, students learn that the Earth’s resources are finite and that it is our responsibility to conserve them.
Watching all this, I realized that I am no longer just a shelf; I am a message. Mr. Walter shared my story with teachers and students, embedding the idea in their minds that old things are not worthless. Through his efforts, I have helped instill in young minds the belief that every item has a new purpose and a new story waiting to unfold.
Recycling is not just a way to preserve the Earth but a mindset that teaches us to value things for what they truly are. Every old item holds the potential for a new beginning, and Mr. Walter has taught everyone this lesson in a practical way. Today, I am not just a shelf in this school but also a lesson in sustainability, repurposing, and the importance of embracing new chapters in life.
