Food Security South Africa Project #17691

Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

by Keep The Dream196

Project Report | Sep 29, 2021
Impacting Climate Change at a Local Level!

By Louise and the KTD196 Dream Team | Jack of all trades, master of none!

1st Shiluvane Clean up Crew

Thank you for your ongoing support, we really appreciate you and I hope you know that I/we care about you! It is really difficult to build a relationship one-sided, however, thank you to those of you who have reached out and emailed me with ideas, questions, and even answers to some of my questions. I really REALLY appreciate the time and effort taken. Please if you want clarity regarding any of our activities I am more than happy to answer your questions.

I thought it was time to share one of the projects we have been busy with over the course of the year. It is called "Tide Turners Plastic Challenge". World Scouting with the mutual collaboration of the UN Environment Programme has launched a challenge for young people and adults to practice and implement this challenge. Keep The Dream196 has implemented this challenge in our program.

When I first came to this country there was a joke that was continuously repeated and I soon learned that it wasn't a joke but a fact. The joke goes "What is the South African National Emblem?" The answer is "A plastic bag in a thorn tree!"

Sadly, this was true, some measures have been put in place now, such as charging people for plastic bags at the point of sale, this has decreased the number of bags and also the reusable nature of buying bags. Still, however, litter is very prevalent in this nation. The usual excuse made by people throwing rubbish out is "It gives some a job to pick it up!" This is despite the filth, germs, no biodegradable plastic that is thrown out, and the obvious economic impact that hiring someone to pick up rubbish when this country is in desperate need of more nurses, police, and other human resources.

In response to the global plastic challenge of turning the tide on plastic pollution, all our groups participated in learning about the issue of pollution, the effects it has on the ecology, wildlife, and the impact eventually on human life. All of our groups participated in this project throughout Limpopo. The Photo I have posted is of 1st Shiluvane Scouts Troop who took on a massive community clean-up project in their village. They also educated adults as to the impact of littering in an effort to change behavior. Our troops will often do community clean-up projects for their communities as a way to serve them, educate them, and make a difference.

Together we are joining hands to reduce the use of plastic in our daily lives, and further play a role in protecting our surroundings. One scheme that is in the pipeline is to work with recyclers in the area to ensure glass and particularly tin is recycled. The kids will bring these materials to a central point and the recycler will collect and pay for the material. The funds raised will help the kids get to camp in the future. A win-win situation.

All of this is made possible through your support. Your support enables us to run these types of projects, among many others, to teach the children, to see behavior change, and to influence community behavior. That is what you do! Thank you for your precious gift.

Until next time, stay safe and stay well.

Blessings

Louise

Plastic bag in a thorn tree

Sadly a common sight a few years ago!

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