Green Schools

Eco-Access is currently involved with five (LSEN) Special Needs Education Schools to develop Eco-School programmes.

Funded by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund and the Telkom Foundation, the green schools programme operates at Zimeleni School, Ezibeleni School, Sibonile School, Filadelfia Secondary School and the Prinshof School.

Apart from increasing awareness of environmental issues and the bio-diversity of southern Africa among teachers and learners, Eco-Access has 'walked the talk' at the schools – helping to start vegetable and herb gardens, plant fruit trees and get everyone involved in recycling.

At Ezibeleni School in Katlehong, volunteers from Momentum Life transformed an overgrown patch of land into a herb garden – stacking old tyres to make beds the right height for young wheelchair-bound gardeners.

At Sibonile School a sensory trail has been built, and a chicken run started. But 'Greening' a school is about more than just planting trees ...

It's about creating a natural environment filled with birds, bees, butterflies and bats.

It's about getting children with disabilities involved in nature: learning to identify bird calls; watching birds build their nests, chicks hatching and learning to fly; bees pollinating flowers ... a beautiful butterfly emerging from a chrysalis spun by a caterpillar ...

If you believe all children should have the chance to discover the wonders of nature, please consider making a donation online right now.