TO raise awareness on the significance of plants, the Lions Club Durban Host held an Arbor Day programme at Mawelewele Primary School in Savanna Park.
Arbor Week is celebrated until Saturday.
Pat Reddy, President of the Lions Club Durban Host, said the programme was held in partnership with the Natural Resource Department in the eThekwini Municipality, Durban Solid Waste, and the Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal
“It is important to teach young people the importance of the environment and how to sustain it for future generations. We encourage children to plant trees, so that they can build ecosystems to support and preserve wildlife,” said Reddy.
He said they held a fun programme for the pupils to keep them entertained, while learning about the environment.
“I spoke on Arbour Week, which is celebrated from September 1 to 7. Some of the pupils rendered songs, poems and dance items related to the environment, and we later engaged in gardening with the children.”
Reddy said they planted 20 trees and seedlings (cabbage, beetroot and spinach) for a school vegetable garden.
“We taught the children to grow organically and how to plant smartly; to avoid the use of pesticides, so they could live more healthy lives. We also had a fashion show where the children showcased outfits they made from recycled materials to encourage recycling.”
Reddy will be hosting another Arbor Day programme at Truro Prevocational School in Bayview, Chatsworth, on Friday.
“The school has a kitchen where they cook food for pupils. We want to establish an organic vegetable garden to promote healthy eating.”
The the Lions Club Durban Host was started in 1958. It's motto is: We serve.
“It means selfless service to others in need in our local communities. The word ’we’ is inclusive, which includes transparency relative to gender, religion, ethnicity, politics or nationality. Our focus areas are hunger, vision, diabetes, childhood cancer, youth and environment.”
For more details on the club, call Lorraine Ogle-Davies on 063 752 8695 or Pat Reddy on 071 683 8461.