AECI Eco-Schools Progress Report July 2019

6. NARRATIVE REPORT 6.1

Please provide a general update of the project and progress over the last 6 months, including any significant changes in its management / operations / implementation

As part of a showcase of best practices within the Eco-Schools programme, Modoupo Primary school was featured in a WESSA International School Programmes promotional video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz5GhFXfydo We interviewed the school’s head girl, who is also the leader of the Eco-Club, and Mrs Lephalala, their Grade 4 Eco-teacher, who both spoke about their specific projects and the impact that the project have in the school, community and as a teaching tool. All the schools received their Bronze awards at the Gauteng Awards ceremony in April 2019. Mrs Lephalala also presented at the ceremony showcasing all their projects to encourage and inspire other Eco-Schools in Gauteng. All the AECI supported Eco-Schools are currently working towards their Silver Award. The AECI WESSA Eco-Schools project was also featured in the EnviroKids magazine Term 3, 2019 (Vol 40.3). See the article on page the next page. The schools conducted a water audit and together with the WESSA implementers decided to focus on water saving methods as well as improving sanitation awareness and hygiene. The Eco–Audit revealed many areas that required improvement, however what stood out most was that learners have little environmental awareness. For example , they used their hands to drink water from the taps instead of using cups or bottles and left taps running and unattended after washing their lunch boxes. There is an issue of water wastage and water shortage in Tembisa as a whole and when municipal water cuts are implemented, learners are released to go back home because the school cannot supply this basic need. Due to these water issues, water points were identified at the schools where water dispensers for drinking (either in or outside the classrooms), tippy taps (close to bathrooms) for washing hands were strategically placed and we started installing Jojo tanks to capture rainwater to be used when water is not available through the municipal supply. WESSA assisted further by educating the learners about the importance of saving water and how it can help sustain the environment. WESSA also encouraged learners to bring plastic bottles from home and the Eco-team to manage the collections in their classes and classify them. The projects implemented last year, the recycling and food garden projects, are being maintained. There was an issue with the recycling collector not assisting the schools properly. Since then we have partnered with T-SHAD (Tembisa Self Help Association for the Disabled) who is now collecting the recyclables. T-SHAD is a community-based development programme that was initiated in 1990. T-SHAD established a self-help factory with various income-generating projects where people with disabilities can thrive and deliver a meaningful service to their community. Their projects range from gardening, recycling and wheelchair-repairs to computer training. T-SHAD is also a Buy-back Centre for recyclables, collecting PET, paper and glass. T-SHAD currently collects an average of two tons of PET every month and plan to grow it through various arrangements with malls, taverns, hospitals, and clinics in Tembisa to collect their recyclables. WESSA collaborated with the T-SHAD organization to include the AECI Eco-Schools as part of their partners. The school now give T-SHAD their recyclable material, and in return receive compost and other resources from T-SHAD. Due to receiving the project tranche late for year 2, the project cycle is from 1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019. A final comprehensive report will be sent end September 2019 before Year 3 will commence in October 2019.

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