Tyre food gardening grows Twini’s eco-school status [PHOTOS]

PUPILS of Umbongintwini Primary School (UPS) were treated to a lesson on tyre food gardening by Miss Earth South Africa (MESA) regional finalist, Sandra Badenhorst on Monday, 18 May.
UPS acquired its Green Flag Status through the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and aims to empower pupils to be the change a sustainable world needs by engaging them in fun, action-orientated learning.

Sandra corresponded with teacher, Morgan Hosking who has a passion to grow Twini’s reputation of being an eco-school, and asked if she could demonstrate a fun lesson on tyre food gardening.
“Tyre disposal is one of the most problematic sources of waste. With a bit of creativity, I taught the LSEN class to re-use these rubber remains as planting beds for their vegetables, an exercise that can easily be replicated at their homes.”

Sandra has ties to Toti, having lived here at one stage but relocated to the Western Cape last year. Over the last four years, Sandra has worked for Lima Rural Development Foundation, a Pietermaritzburg- based NPO that implements nationwide sustainable programmes, empowering rural communities and improving their livelihoods.

“My role as the marketing communications manager is so rewarding, as I am able to visit project sites countrywide, witnessing how dignity is being restored to these communities. What a gift to listen to participants telling me how they’re now able to feed their families with the grown produce and income generated through the project, and then to share these stories with others.”

Each pupil took ownership of their own tyre, provided by Supa Quick in Prospecton, and learnt the value behind growing their own vegetables. Spinach was chosen as the favourite crop to grow for their first food garden activation. They learnt about the rich source of vitamins in spinach and laughed along, exaggerating their muscle power, after watching an episode of Popeye.
Pupils were allocated different tasks to ensure the spinach seedlings are taken care of like babies with continuous nurturing.

“It is overwhelming to see how excited they were to plant their own veggies. We all have a part to play in ensuring we teach young minds to preserve our environment, and if that includes increasing food security simultaneously, then we have a winning recipe for change,” added Sandra.
The LSEN class consists of grade 6 and 7 pupils. “Mr Hosking is trying to get a worm farm started which will work well to contribute compost to the food garden. The tyre garden is experimental.

The next phase includes cordoning off the area where the tyre garden is now (for protection against the monkeys), and thereafter increasing the size of the food garden. The school is fortunate that they have two big jojo tanks (for rainwater harvesting) alongside the garden.
Special thanks goes to Builder’s Express in Pinetown for their contribution towards seedlings and soil, Supa Quick in Prospecton for the tyres, Jaref’s Paints and DIY Centre for their paint donation used for tyre decorating, Phil Badenhorst for his technical assistance, Mr Hosking and LSEN class for their dedication towards the lesson and UPS for its commitment towards a sustainable world.

“It has been an honour to be selected for the MESA leadership and empowerment programme. Already, it has been exciting sharing my green journey in the hope of inspiring change.”
The Miss Earth South Africa is a leadership programme that aims to empower young women with the knowledge and platform to create a sustainable difference to combat the destruction of South Africa’s natural heritage.

“We are excited with the current group of regional semi-finalists. Projects to be completed include a food garden or waste project with a primary school, plant 10 indigenous trees
as well as partake in the annual Miss Earth South Africa clean-ups. We look forward to seeing the results as these young women embark on their green journeys within their communities,” said executive director of the Miss Earth South Africa programme, Catherine Constantinides.