On October 18, 2025, the Shamiya Greenhouse in Kuwait buzzed with laughter, curiosity, and the gentle rustle of leaves as children, parents, and volunteers gathered for a special event marking both Canadian Thanksgiving and Urban October. The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Embassy of Canada in Kuwait, UN-Habitat, the Youth Public Authority, Shamiya Greenhouse (also known as the Shamiya Nature Reserve), and the Canadian Women’s Network in Kuwait, invited families to "Come Plant with Us!" — or, as another translation put it, "Let’s Plant Together!"
Canadian Thanksgiving, celebrated in early October, traditionally honors the harvest and the deep bond between people and the land. This year, the Canadian Embassy in Kuwait embraced that spirit in a uniquely hands-on way, blending gratitude with environmental stewardship and education. According to Kuwait Times, Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait, Tara Scheurwater, welcomed attendees by reflecting on the meaning behind the holiday: "In Canada, when we celebrate Thanksgiving, we do so at the beginning of October because it’s a celebration of the harvest. It’s inextricably linked with nature and with the gratitude we feel for the world around us." She expressed appreciation for the event’s hosts and the opportunity to foster environmental awareness and community engagement in Kuwait.
Ambassador Scheurwater emphasized that the facility at Shamiya Greenhouse "celebrates nature and teaches children and visitors the importance of cultivating and appreciating plants, as well as learning more about recycling and doing our part for the environment." She hoped the event would offer families "a meaningful and fun-filled day, while also fostering a sense of gratitude for the natural world." The ambassador’s remarks, echoed by The Times Kuwait, highlighted the importance of celebrating Thanksgiving "in a practical and purposeful way — by planting and connecting with the environment in this beautiful setting."
The event’s purpose stretched beyond celebration. It was part of Urban October 2025, a global initiative by UN-Habitat to promote sustainable urban living through local action. This year’s theme, "Local Actions, Global Impact," underscored how community-driven projects can ripple outward to address global climate challenges. Urban October began with World Habitat Day on October 6 and will conclude with World Cities Day on October 31, bringing together cities and citizens worldwide to reflect on making urban life more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Children and their families dove into a variety of hands-on activities designed to teach sustainability and environmental stewardship. As reported by Kuwait Times, these included a Sustainable Scavenger Hunt, the Green Thumb Project, an Art & Craft Corner, and Community Narratives. The Times Kuwait added that children learned the basics of planting and recycling, and enjoyed storytelling sessions about nature, teamwork, and the importance of volunteerism. The activities weren’t just about education — they were about fun, connection, and stepping away from screens to reconnect with the natural world.
Volunteerism formed the backbone of the day. According to Ambassador Scheurwater, "We have so many volunteers here today. I think we might even have more volunteers than children. Volunteers from the Canadian Women’s Association, the Youth Public Authority, and the Shamiya Greenhouse have all given up their weekend to be part of this event, along with my colleagues from the Embassy." This spirit of giving, she noted, is what makes such initiatives truly exemplary. Volunteers of all ages — Canadians, Kuwaitis, youth, families, and embassy staff — came together to make the day a success.
Ameera Alhassan, Head of the UN-Habitat Program in Kuwait, underscored the event’s educational mission and the importance of community engagement, especially among youth. Every October, she explained, cities around the world host UN-Habitat activities to promote sustainable urban living. In Kuwait, the program’s annual partnership with Shamiya Greenhouse has resulted in three (or, as The Times Kuwait reports, four) consecutive years of educational and environmental events for children in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy. Alhassan stated, "The goal of this activity is to harness the energy of youth to train children through hands-on activities inspired by the natural environment around us. The seeds, plants, and materials used in the four main activities are all derived from natural elements found within the reserve such as seeds and tree leaves."
She explained that activities were designed to match children’s talents and interests: "Those with artistic abilities can join the art workshop, while others can participate in story reading or planting activities, including sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings. The idea is to step away from technology for a while and reconnect with nature especially in light of global climate change." Alhassan also highlighted the importance of biodiversity, noting, "It’s important to raise awareness that we shouldn’t always plant the same type of crop, we need variety to sustain healthy ecosystems."
The Public Authority for Youth, which manages the Shamiya Reserve, has been a steadfast supporter of these initiatives. According to Alhassan, "The Authority continuously supports us, not only for this event but throughout the year. Every Saturday morning, we organize similar activities based on the season such as the recent date-harvest season, and soon we’ll host a Seed Exchange Day." Regular events like these, including the Date Harvest Season and Seed Exchange Festival, aim to support agricultural and environmental diversity in Kuwait.
Volunteerism, a recurring theme throughout the event, was celebrated as a key driver of community development. Alhassan pointed out that "UN-Habitat has a special section dedicated to youth engagement and volunteerism and strongly encourages the training of students and volunteers. The United Nations also has a dedicated body called the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, which allows people from around the world to contribute their skills through volunteer work." She encouraged everyone — from youth to retirees and homemakers — to make good use of their free time in ways that benefit society.
The event’s success was measured not just in the number of seeds planted or crafts made, but in the connections forged between the Canadian and Kuwaiti communities. The day reflected a deep friendship and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, youth engagement, and climate action. As Kuwait Times put it, the event "reflected the community’s continued dedication to sustainability, volunteerism, and civic engagement — essential values that contribute to building greener, cleaner, and more sustainable cities."
For many, the highlight was seeing children’s faces light up as they dug their hands into the soil, listened to stories about the wonders of nature, and learned — perhaps for the first time — how even small local actions can have a global impact. The event was a testament to what can happen when communities come together, guided by gratitude, purpose, and a shared vision for a better future.
As Urban October 2025 draws to a close, the seeds sown at the Shamiya Greenhouse will continue to grow — both literally and figuratively — reminding all involved that building a sustainable world starts in our own backyards, one child (and one seed) at a time.
