Megha Bhat (she/her)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

I founded Little Actions to ignite a love for the planet in children through songs, dance, plays, and games, and nudge them into taking small actions, making each one a change maker in their own way.
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We work with schools and residential communities to engage children through our own crafted games, riddles, and hands-on activities. Our games range from Ecochain, which internalizes the importance of food chains in an ecosystem, to Water Bingo, which makes it fun to be a water warrior at home!
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My original musical, 'Jack and the Beans Talk,' is a witty twist on the classic fairytale that leverages the appeal of theater to spark curiosity about sustainable alternatives. After four shows in Bengaluru — at my school, and the Mango Showers Music Festival — it is headed to a school in Muscat.

‘Little Action-ers’ positively impact over 1400 families in their community through water conservation, afforestation, and recycling. In collaboration with AID India, workshops from Little Actions reach 400 children of underserved communities. My musical and games are now part of the toolkit for the Environmental Education Programme of the Government of India, reaching over 110,000 Eco Clubs across the country.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

“Megha, what did you do in your workshop?! My son is so adamant about saving water that he’s refusing to bathe!”
During one blistering summer, I had organized my first workshop for Junior Water Warriors in my apartment community to inspire them to do their bit in addressing the water shortage. This particular parent made me realize that kids are enormously potent forces of change. And the best way to engage them is through games!

Thus was born Little Actions. Through workshops in residential communities and schools, I created an army of Little Action-ers — tiny ambassadors that protect their environment and spread the message to their family and friends. As I found volunteers passionate about our mission for the workshops, a core team slowly came to life.

While our workshops have shown me how effective games are in environmental education, the responses of awestruck children to my musical, 'Jack and the Beans Talk,' have reaffirmed my belief that theater is a great way to advance environmental causes. It is also the perfect avenue to channel my love for environmental education in a way that is uniquely my own!

How can people learn more about or support your work?

People can learn more about Little Actions and my work at our website and Instagram. The best way to support my work is by helping spread my work. I will be happy to facilitate our workshops at your community or school. Geographic distance is not a barrier — I can provide our games and activity plans free of cost!  

I also offer the script, music, and recorded tracks of my musical, 'Jack and the Beans Talk,' free of cost to schools and community organizations interested in producing it.

Finally, if you would like to collaborate with Little Actions, we are open! You can reach out to us here.

A Little More About Me

What (or who) keeps you hopeful for the future?
Seeing my Little Action-ers glow with pride while speaking of their efforts to save water, reuse plastic, and take care of their home gardens, keeps me hopeful for the future.

Where do you feel most at peace and why?
I feel at peace on stage, performing a musical theater number, or at the piano. The beautiful melodies and little jigs make me feel at home.

What are your hobbies?
I love to crochet, read books, and solve puzzles!

What’s your favorite food to celebrate with?
Ice cream is my favorite food to celebrate wins and also, cushion disappointments.