Balwin Foundation Earth Day
Author: Balwin Foundation
As part of Balwin’s World Earth Day initiative, we sponsored an Environmental Waste Programme run for 671 Grade 6 learners through the JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Center, in Mamelodi.
The programme educates learners from schools in Mamelodi in the key learning areas of Waste Management, Renewable Energy, Water Conservation, and the Protection of Biodiversity through curriculum- based educational activities.
The donation was applied to our Environmental Leadership Programme 2022 – this program educates learners (Grade R – 11) from Quintile 1 to 3 schools in Mamelodi in the key learning areas of Waste Management, Renewable Energy, Water Conservation, and the Protection of Biodiversity through curriculum- based educational activities. The donation directly funded the participation of 671 learners in the program. The Balwin Foundation funding was directly applied to our Grade 6 Waste Program – Social Sciences – Manufacturing and Resources.
The Waste Program – Social Sciences – Manufacturing and Resources is incorporated into the Grade 6 national Curriculum in Term 2
Tshwane Metro has the highest urbanization rate in South Africa. It is home to a rapidly growing diverse population of around 3 million people and this is why waste management at all levels has to become a priority.
Recycling is very important as waste has a huge negative impact on the natural environment:
• Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste.
• Habitat destruction and global warming are some of the affects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved.
• Huge amounts of energy are used when making products from raw materials. Recycling requires much less energy and therefore helps to preserve natural resources.
Closer to home in Mamelodi we have a huge problem with informal dumping sites. Informal waste collectors come to these sites to collect waste in very harsh and inhumane conditions. There is also the burning of waste, which causes a lot of air pollution.
Mamelodi is a township to the north-east of Pretoria and was establish in 1953 and its falls under the City of Tshwane Municipality. It spans 45.19 km2 and has more than 500 000 residents.
As an Environmental Centre, we are passionate about finding solutions to local problems that affect our community.
Schools that participated:
Bohlabatsatsi Primary
Shirinda Primaary
Motheo Primary
Zakhele Primary
Morakoma Primary
Uoane Primary
Ramahlale Primary