Environmental Projects
Seeds 4 schools
This is a project that aims to educate students about the value of trees and to create a forest at each of the local schools. At the beginning of the year volunteers work with the Life Science students, educating them about trees and how to plant a tree from seed. The students bring containers and dry cow manure to school. Seeds are then supplied, planted and taken home. Then during Arbor week in September, the saplings are brought back to school.
They are judged and the winners receive prizes. One tree gets planted at their homesteads, one on the school grounds and one is donated to the community nursery. Each year different seeds are supplied so as not to create a mono culture. The project has been a success with over 3000 seeds distributed among 2 schools. Currently funds are required for fencing to keep the pesky goats out.
They are judged and the winners receive prizes. One tree gets planted at their homesteads, one on the school grounds and one is donated to the community nursery. Each year different seeds are supplied so as not to create a mono culture. The project has been a success with over 3000 seeds distributed among 2 schools. Currently funds are required for fencing to keep the pesky goats out.
Healthy Village Project
The Healthy Village Project is a plan to improve public spaces in and around the Zithulele communities. The project incorporates a nursery, refuse management, clearing of alien vegetation, the planting of indigenous trees, parks, environmental education and job creation.
Most components of this project have already been piloted on a small scale, during which time we have built relationships with schools, community members and leaders. We have:
Due to the success of these endeavours, we are confident that by bringing these components together and running the Healthy Village Project on a larger scale, a significant impact on improving health, wellbeing and the upliftment of the community in general will be achieved. See below for detailed information about each component of the HVP.
Solid Waste Management
There are no municipal services in the area and there is an increasing amount of litter and a growing number of informal dump sites. It is a health risk to both humans and animals and negatively affects tourism. A healthy and attractive living environment helps to attract much needed medical professionals to the area. HVP will implement a comprehensive solid waste management service. This will entail daily litter pick-ups, the collection of refuse through strategically placed bins, the sorting and removal of all recyclable and non-recyclable waste to Mqanduli or Mthatha. Educating the community regarding the health risks associated with burning waste, and therefore the benefits of using bins, will precede the implementation of this initiative and continue throughout its duration.
With regards to improving sanitation, education will also be given to dispel the misconception that toilets are unhygienic and to persuade the community of the benefits of using the already installed facilities rather than the current method of disposal, as well as the benefits of using compost toilets for those with the means to install these.
Aliens
Inkberry and Lantana are very prevalent in the area and compete with the indigenous vegetation. They use vast amounts of water, a scarce resource in the winter dry months. They exacerbate soil erosion and the loss of fertile top soil. In order to make a significant impact on the problem of invasive alien vegetation, a systematic and consistent plan is required. The project area has been divided into zones and has already started by clearing invasive vegetation from along waterways. Removing vegetation is a labour intensive endeavour and both chemical and mechanical methods will be utilised to combat the problem plants. Suitable removed vegetation will be distributed to the community for use as firewood. The project will replace the removed trees with indigenous vegetation to maintain windbreaks and shade, as well as providing for a sustainable fuel source and improving the biodiversity of the area.
Trees
We intend to create an indigenous tree lined road leading from the hospital down to Lubanzi beach, providing both shade and windbreaks. Trees will also be planted in communal spaces such as informal markets, taxi ranks, road-sides and parks. The project commits to planting a minimum of 200 fenced trees per year (fencing is imperative to protect saplings from being eaten by roaming livestock).
Parks
There is a need for a safe space for children to play. We have established and are continuing to develop a park at the community centre with jungle gym, swings, trees and sitting area.
Education
The staff will undergo a half day training per week. All elements of this project have educational components as expressed above. To facilitate this, all project staff will take part in a half day workshop each week. Topics to be covered include: waste management solutions; sanitation; environmental awareness and responsible management of natural resources; invasive alien vegetation; tree propagation; permaculture principles; agricultural techniques; HIV/AIDS and nutrition. To capitalise on this opportunity, some essential general life skills and health awareness modules will be built into these workshops. With this newly acquired knowledge, project staff will facilitate workshops at local schools and community meetings to disseminate this learning.
Employment
One of the main objectives of the project is to provide employment in the rural areas and reduce the need for migration to the cities. A minimum of 50% of the employees will be women from the immediate area.
Nursery
The nursery is an incredibly cost effective way to supply trees to the project. Utilising skills and experience from the community, it is propagating trees and other vegetation from found seeds and cuttings, and making organic fertilizer to use in the nursery and sell on.
Most components of this project have already been piloted on a small scale, during which time we have built relationships with schools, community members and leaders. We have:
- Erected rubbish bins and organised numerous litter clean ups, removing over 90 bags of rubbish
- Established a nursery that has produced over 1500 indigenous trees
- Planted over 350 trees in the surrounding schools, preschools, hospital and village
- Cleared over 100m of alien vegetation along waterways
Due to the success of these endeavours, we are confident that by bringing these components together and running the Healthy Village Project on a larger scale, a significant impact on improving health, wellbeing and the upliftment of the community in general will be achieved. See below for detailed information about each component of the HVP.
Solid Waste Management
There are no municipal services in the area and there is an increasing amount of litter and a growing number of informal dump sites. It is a health risk to both humans and animals and negatively affects tourism. A healthy and attractive living environment helps to attract much needed medical professionals to the area. HVP will implement a comprehensive solid waste management service. This will entail daily litter pick-ups, the collection of refuse through strategically placed bins, the sorting and removal of all recyclable and non-recyclable waste to Mqanduli or Mthatha. Educating the community regarding the health risks associated with burning waste, and therefore the benefits of using bins, will precede the implementation of this initiative and continue throughout its duration.
With regards to improving sanitation, education will also be given to dispel the misconception that toilets are unhygienic and to persuade the community of the benefits of using the already installed facilities rather than the current method of disposal, as well as the benefits of using compost toilets for those with the means to install these.
Aliens
Inkberry and Lantana are very prevalent in the area and compete with the indigenous vegetation. They use vast amounts of water, a scarce resource in the winter dry months. They exacerbate soil erosion and the loss of fertile top soil. In order to make a significant impact on the problem of invasive alien vegetation, a systematic and consistent plan is required. The project area has been divided into zones and has already started by clearing invasive vegetation from along waterways. Removing vegetation is a labour intensive endeavour and both chemical and mechanical methods will be utilised to combat the problem plants. Suitable removed vegetation will be distributed to the community for use as firewood. The project will replace the removed trees with indigenous vegetation to maintain windbreaks and shade, as well as providing for a sustainable fuel source and improving the biodiversity of the area.
Trees
We intend to create an indigenous tree lined road leading from the hospital down to Lubanzi beach, providing both shade and windbreaks. Trees will also be planted in communal spaces such as informal markets, taxi ranks, road-sides and parks. The project commits to planting a minimum of 200 fenced trees per year (fencing is imperative to protect saplings from being eaten by roaming livestock).
Parks
There is a need for a safe space for children to play. We have established and are continuing to develop a park at the community centre with jungle gym, swings, trees and sitting area.
Education
The staff will undergo a half day training per week. All elements of this project have educational components as expressed above. To facilitate this, all project staff will take part in a half day workshop each week. Topics to be covered include: waste management solutions; sanitation; environmental awareness and responsible management of natural resources; invasive alien vegetation; tree propagation; permaculture principles; agricultural techniques; HIV/AIDS and nutrition. To capitalise on this opportunity, some essential general life skills and health awareness modules will be built into these workshops. With this newly acquired knowledge, project staff will facilitate workshops at local schools and community meetings to disseminate this learning.
Employment
One of the main objectives of the project is to provide employment in the rural areas and reduce the need for migration to the cities. A minimum of 50% of the employees will be women from the immediate area.
Nursery
The nursery is an incredibly cost effective way to supply trees to the project. Utilising skills and experience from the community, it is propagating trees and other vegetation from found seeds and cuttings, and making organic fertilizer to use in the nursery and sell on.
