Each year, the "Ifa Lethu" (Our Heritage) programme organises several four-day educational outings to a conservation and rehabilitation farm, and then to the Weenen Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where 12 high school students (or 12 teachers from poorly-resourced schools) are hosted in a rustic camp. Efforts are made to achieve a balanced diversity of the students' genders and cultures. Experts in various fields are invited to address the group and encourage exchanges of ideas with discussions.
Global environmental problems, climate change and the rapidly-expanding population are challenges which need to be faced. In South Africa we have inadequate education at poorly-funded schools, poverty, conflict between farmers and game parks, and excessive soil erosion. Few of our youth have any understanding of these problems and little practical knowledge of how to help the environment. Most teachers in rural schools lack the experience, knowledge and resources to help the drive for change.
The 4-day excursions promote a changed world view, with commitment to a better life for all life. The aim is for participants to recognise immediate and future opportunities to educate others to live environmentally-affirmative lives of leadership. Collaborating with the Jonny Lowe Memorial Trust, a farm trip demonstrates regenerative farming for food security, biodiversity, and water conservation. At Nyandu Educational Camp, game walks (and drives) promote eco-awareness and social interaction.
This exposure illuminates each participant about the importance of a conserved, biodiverse environment's contribution to a healthy human future... in mind, body and spirit. The learners are encouraged to assume lifetime responsibility for their environment by action, example and leadership; some make a crucial career and lifestyle choice related to the environment. They can then appreciate HLENGA INDLALO YAKO; UZO BUNKINGA YAKO (isiZulu) which means "Rescue your environment; it is your problem".
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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