WESSA Schools Programme Annual Report 2019/2020

Tlhotlheletsang Primary School

Rustenburg, North West

MRS HILDA LESENGO NJORO’S STORY OF CHANGE

I grew up in a rural area where subsistence food gardening was an essential part of our daily lives and chores. With limited water supply, sustainable

water practices were very important. We practiced environmentally friendly ways of enhancing the soil using cow- and chicken dung. Waste and broken materials were always recycled or reused. An educator at Tlhotlheletsang Primary School (Rustenburg) since 2016, I started out as a language teacher but moved to teaching Natural Science and Life Orientation in 2018. I became an active environmental staff member, running the food garden and ensuring the school grounds are kept clean.

JOINING THE ECO- SCHOOLS PROGRAMME We were approached by WESSA, who explained how the programme can assist in expanding our existing projects such as the food garden, water, and recycling projects. We were also introduced to some issues that we never knew existed, such as invasive alien species and how they affect the environment, as well as the many benefits of Spekboom ( Portulacaria ). SOME OF THE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED AT MY SCHOOL Our current projects include a food garden , vertical medicinal garden , a wormery to make compost, Spekboom propagation , and also a recycling project – collecting plastic bottles and bottles caps for the Qhubeka “work-to-earn” bicycle project. The food garden supports our school feeding scheme. Tunnels protect our vegetable seedlings from pests, birds, community chickens and from unfavourable weather. We mostly plant spinach, beetroot, and onions. The vertical garden demonstrates how to plant in confined spaces and teaches about various medicinal garden plants in southern Africa. The

Spekboom project aims to teach us all about the capacity of this species to absorb carbon, but also teaches learners how to grow Spekboom rather than take it from nature. ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

taught in the syllabus with practical lessons. During the climate change activity, they also had an opportunity to engage with learners from other countries about climate change and the role of natural plants, such as Spekboom, in reducing carbon. FUTURE PLANS OR WISHES I hope to engage the leaners in more activities such as competitions and online debates about climate change. These broaden the learners’ understanding of the challenges, how people in other countries are affected and also how they are working on adapting to climate change. We intend to expand our garden and engage our neighbouring, unemployed community to be a part of this, so that we do not only provide for the learners but also feed those currently disadvantaged and help them to learn to start their own food gardens at home. Finally, we hope to educate our community about the effects of open burning and the importance of recycling, as well as how it will help to generate income while keeping our environment clean.

“

Our biggest challenge is that, although we are

working towards being environmentally friendly, there are still people who burn trash which cannot be recycled, and people outside the school who burn all their trash. WHAT CHANGES HAS THE PROJECT BROUGHT TO THE SCHOOL programme has brought about high levels of enthusiasm in our learners because it is a rare treat for them to go outside for the practical lessons, instead of being inside the classroom. They have learned about many new things, such as Spekboom and climate change. Most importantly they get to link what they have been The Eco-Schools ”

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