Members of the Ruimsig Academy spent Mandela Day getting their hands dirty at the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (Sarda) Gauteng.
Pupils from Grade R to Grade 7, spent the day planting indigenous plants around Sarda Gauteng’s property, while interacting with the horses, learning about insects and scooping up manure for compost.
“Our being here is also part of our sustainability project at school, which allows the children to help themselves and to understand what they are doing at school,” said Samantha Gladysek, science teacher and project manager for the sustainability project.
Ruimsig Academy started its own garden and compost bin at school to promote sustainable living. The hands-on approach adopted by the academy is due to the school’s project-based learning system. Pupils will eventually be able to observe entire ecosystems and life cycles, test the soil and grow plants at school, which will get them to learn through experience.
“We also want to teach our children to give back. We explain they are the future and their planet is dying and they need to make the change,” said English teacher and project manager, Kerry Pappas.
Chairperson of Sarda Gauteng, Katrina Evans said, “We appreciate the children coming through. They have brought such a lively energy and it is great to have them help with the gardens as we are volunteer-based and we do not always have the personnel needed to work on the gardens,” explained Evans.
Ruimsig Academy’s pupils were the largest group of volunteers Sarda Gauteng has had and Evans would love to have the school back every year – even on a more regular basis in smaller groups.
Details: Ruimsig Academy, 082 075 4724; Sarda Gauteng, 011 958 5044.
