R7,990,000

This initiative aims to reclaim the “lost land” on the school grounds that has been taken over by the presence of litter and overgrown alien vegetation, while simultaneously providing solutions to local problems related to poverty, education, food insecurity, the energy crisis in South Africa, reduce the carbon footprint of the school and a general up training of students.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

• Mapping and Situation Analysis: The purpose of this activity is to understand the current situation in Zisukhanyo Senior Secondary School in particular, and the Philippi Horticultural Area in general. This would include mapping of socioeconomic, political, and environmental aspects of the area.
• Development of awareness tools to suit the local communities: Audio- Visual material will be developed to sensitize the local communities on climate change risks and threats. Leaflets, booklets, flashcards will be developed in vernacular to create greater impact. Documentaries made by international agencies on climate change will also be translated.
• Awareness campaign: Awareness generation is a key activity towards achieving project success. Project Beneficiaries will adopt climate-smart agriculture practices only after they understand the implications of climate change on food security. Following sub-activities will be undertaken to sensitize the communities.
• Community Meetings: Project team will initiate community meetings to discuss the project and also share information on climate change risks and food security threats.
• Distribution of leaflets and pamphlets: Communication material developed in vernacular language will be distributed. Use of easy language will help in developing a better understanding of the issues.
• Documentary screening: A documentary will be screened in a community hall, to showcase the threats of climate change.
• Mobile Information Centre: For the dissemination of information through diverse mobility solutions will be used. This will serve as an information centre and people who could not attend the awareness camp will also benefit from it.
• Promotion of area-specific agricultural activities: area-specific technologies that are aligned to agro-ecological principles will be promoted in the PHA. Adoption of such technologies will help in improving the biological, social and economic systems resilient to climate change.

Project Goals

• Demonstrate solutions to social, environmental and economic challenges that benefit our environment. 
• Mobilise organisations, individuals and corporates with impactful projects. 
• Reduce GHG Emissions by rescuing and repurposing neglected land within partner locations to facilitate education, food security, and natural habitats for essential ecological functions.

Project Objectives

• To sensitize the farming community in and around Zisukhanyo Senior Secondary School about the linkages between food security and climate change. 
• To promote adoption of climate smart farming practices suitable for the agro- ecological region of the PHA through capacity building and training of at least 500 Project Beneficiaries. 
• Establish a resource centre to serve as an information hub and library for the Project Beneficiaries to get latest information on climate change. 
• Create a template by scientifically proving the viability and benefits of this integrated approach to creating a proven sustainable model that can be replicated in schools or communities across South Africa and Internationally. 
• Create a food forest at Zisukhanyo Senior Secondary School in Samora Machel Use Aquaponics and Permaculture as an education platforms in school curriculum Improve nutrition.
• Access to locally grown organic produce Entrepreneurship development skills amongst youth in the green economy. 
• Demonstrate solutions to climate change and social ills in the townships
• Improve academic results and engagement scholars Contribute to the UN SDGs