Equipping children to live sustainably in the future
Water, Energy and Food Programme
Overview
Protecting our water and energy resources is vital to the sustainability of South Africa. Our Energy and Water Programme aims to support South African youth to develop a sustainable lifestyle through various practical projects, equipping them to be able to make a difference in their schools and communities.
The projects are driven to create value by supporting experiential learning, adding value to the school curriculum, and creating the link from school to community.
SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Sustainable Schools in Rural Communities (formerly known as Rural Sustainable Villages) is a project implemented in partnership with the Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape supporting 11 schools in the district. The purpose of the project is to implement sustainable technologies in schools to address environmental issues in schools and communities.
The project aims to address these environmental issues using the following 6 sustainable practices:
- Renewable energy
- Waste management
- Rainwater harvesting
- Food gardens
- Indigenous gardens
- Orchards
The project further provides opportunities for learners to investigate, identify and take action against environmental issues in their schools and communities using the Eco-schools and YRE programmes steps and guidelines.
Through this project learners will be able to identify environmental issues and have the platform to practically interact with some of the latest innovative and sustainable solutions such as the Biogas system and renewable energy hybrids installed at their schools such as the solar geysers, small scale wind turbines, solar lighting, etc.
It also provides opportunities for community development and support of the local economy through the short-term employment of locals in the installation of the sustainable technologies as well as the inclusion of a Youth in Entrepreneurship component. Through this component 7 Youth in surrounding communities will be assisted with formal training as well as start-up capital for them to start their own businesses.
Participating schools include:
- Three Crowns Primary school – Lady Freire
- Mbewula Primary School – Cala
- Mount Arthur Girls High School – Lady Freire
- Arthur Mfebe High School – Cofimvaba
- Nyanga High School – Engcobo
- Maria Louw Primary School – Queenstown
- Kleinbooi Primary School – Emachibini
- Nompumelelo High School – Whittlesea
- Nzimankulu Senior Secondary School – Lady Freire
- Cofimvaba High School – Cofimvaba
- Daliwonga High School – Cofimvaba
Contact Details
Cindy-Lee Cloete
General Manager: WESSA Schools and Youth Unit
Cell 064 752 0598
Email: cindy.cloete@wessa.co.za
