A greener community with Ella Bella
JOBURG - Ella Bella, youth ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Programme, shared her community spirit with township, rural and private schools in the northern suburbs.
She became involved with the programme through her work with the environment and with Miss Earth South Africa.
By ‘greening’ communities and educating young woman, she started to contribute to the youth by means of educating them about the awesome force of nature.
“I was invited to present our work to the United Nations body in 2009 in South Korea, and also got the opportunity to present it to over 1 500 international youth involved in environmental issues and advocacy,” said Ella Bella.
“It was here that I was nominated and voted in as the youth ambassador by young people from around the world,” she added.
Ella Bella said it was an honour to represent her country and the environment on this United Nations platform.
Her work has taken her to places she never considered going to and attributes these experiences to her development as a strong young woman.
“I have grown in courage, flexibility, tenacity, integrity, and overall confidence and belief in myself. Travelling to places that are outside of my comfort zone makes you learn about your strengths and weaknesses,” she said.
She speaks English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Greek, and enjoys watching people’s reaction when they hear their own language being spoken by a very unsuspecting person.
“I want to learn more Xhosa and Sotho then eventually French,” she added.
Involved in a youth focused environmental organisation, Generation Earth, Bella strives to cultivate green leaders for the next generation. The organisation aims to create eco-conscious leaders for the future who are aware of how their consumer habits and lifestyles impact on the environment.
She also helps initiate recycling systems in schools and homes.
When asked about her role as Miss Earth, she said she focused on educating young women about the environment, sustainability, consumerism and a green economy.
“We are not only inspiring change in thinking, but in behaviour too. These young women go out into the schools in their local communities and train young minds to start living differently, in a way that benefits people and the planet in a responsible manner,” she said.
