Environmental NGO inspires change in developing community
METRO – Green Beings teamed up with Cosmo City schools and community members to clean the area of litter and illegal dump sites.
Green Beings, a Johannesburg based NGO that helps communities with necessary skills for eco-sustainability, held successful Cleanup Week at Cosmo City.
“Cleanup Week is a global initiative that celebrates a clean healthy environment,” explained co-founder of Green Beings, Marloes Dijkema.
“Communities and schools are encouraged to take part. It is a movement that increases awareness about the negative effects of littering, illegal dumping as well as promoting clean and healthy communities.”
The initiative was a joint effort between communities and schools in the area.
Residents volunteered their time and effort and each of them received a tree for their participation.
Cosmo City is Green Beings’ pilot community – five extensions took part in the campaign.
Co-founder Roxy Lourens added that “It is important to continuously create awareness through environmental education initiatives so that pupils, teachers, staff and community members understand the importance of looking after our environment.”
The next Green Beings initiative is called River Rehab and is aimed at getting residents back into natural spaces.
“On the day we do a mass cleanup along the river banks, plant indigenous trees, remove alien vegetation, test the quality of the water and provide refreshments and snacks to the people involved,”explained Lourens.
Details: Alex 0827754115, @greenbeings_sa, www.facebook.com/greenbeingssa
