With spring being ushered in, environmentalism and nutrition was the topic to explore for Avoca Primary as Hingham Nursery, Green Buddies Environmental Club, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Green Peace and Food Connect, banded together with learners, staff and activists to set in motion a new community garden on the school premises.
The chairperson of the Greenbuddies Environmental Club, Ashlin Ellan, said the project was inspired by the organisation’s mission to promote environmental sustainability and to educate learners on the importance of food and environmental education, while ensuring that their tummies remain full by supporting the school’s nutrition programme.
“Hingham Nursery sponsored 13 varieties of vegetable seedlings and four bags of compost. With the assistance from all stakeholders, the day was a huge success,” said Ellan.
The principal of Avoca Primary, Shannil Kowlesar said the development of a food garden was not just anticipated, but very much needed to cater to the needs of the many disadvantaged learners that attended the school.
“This food garden and tree-planting project will be beneficial to the school as we develop it further to provide meals for our disadvantaged learners, ensuring that their basic needs are being met so that they can tackle their school day with energy. Among other things, environmental education is very important and these values must be instilled from a primary school level.
“We appeal and invite the community to come on board to develop and help this garden to flourish so that we are able to ensure that no learner goes hungry,” said Kowlesar.
Pat Reddy of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said that seeing the learners in action was inspiring. “A very big thumbs up to the educators on the impressive work that they are doing in their leadership of the learners being environmental stewards,” said Reddy.
Ellan said that Green Buddies was grateful to the principal of Avoca Primary for his guidance and leadership in allowing this project to take place. “We would also like to express our gratitude to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Thobile Sibisi and her team for all their efforts and providing the school with trees, Ward Councillor Dr Bobby Maharajh for his assistance in ensuring a successful programme as well as Pat Reddy and Delwyn Pillay for their leadership and expertise in guiding the planting and formation of the food garden and tree planting ceremony. Green Buddies Environmental Club looks forward to more collaborative projects with all the stakeholders as we try to create an eco friendly and sustainable community,” added Ellan.
Green Buddies Environmental Club is currently opened to new members. For more information or should you wish to join this organisation, contact the club secretary, Jessie Govender on 062 850 4544.
