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During the first weekend of December, GCX had the opportunity to be involved in an extraordinary CSI initiative, initiated by the wonderful team at Creating Change. GCX staff raised money, which was matched by the company, to send a couple of deserving children on a weekend away to learn about the environment and to have fun doing so.
Creating Change, previously known as Little Green Fingers, has a vision to uplift and up-skill the youth of Ocean View near Kommetjie, by creating a Youth Life Centre accessible to all the children in the neighbourhood.
Creating Change is also currently running a Youth Development and Sustainability Programme to the Marine Primary Environmental Club in Ocean View, with Mortimer Petersen, the founder of the club. This sprouted out of a garden programme which started in 2009, sponsored by ABSA and facilitated by Liesel James, the founder of Creating Change - who at that time was contracting for the FTFA.
Liesel recognized the need to link the garden to a kitchen cooking class, teaching the children about nutrition and how to prepare food. These classes also focus on demonstrating renewable cooking methods through solar cooking and hotboxes, whilst teaching the learners natural building skills and exposure to environmental studies. The company also has an alliance with Global Gardens in the USA, which involves a pen-pal link with Echo Horizon School – allowing the kids letters exchanges and skype calls. For most of these kids, it was their first online experience. They have also signed up for the Eco Schools programme through WESSA and WWF.
Creating Change are very grateful to Marine Primary for their ongoing support and granting them a dedicated classroom on a year to year basis. In September 2011, Creating Change also received funding from the Ackerman Foundation; covering gardening material, tools, a rainwater tank,solar cookers and vital kitchen equipment. This was the best investment by far - to assist with the classes that are given every Friday afternoon to between 16 and 33 kids.
Creating Change have also had great sponsorship from the community and great discounts from certain suppliers - and would like to express their gratitude to all of them:
- Burglar Bar studio has sponsored our burglar bars and security gate to the value of R 6000 - to ensure that our equipment is safe and secure
- Spur Steak ranches has sponsored a fridge and kitchen equipment
- Gail and Steve Coetzee from Porter Market have given us their kitchen cupboards
- Chelsea garden & Home has sponsored kitchen equipment
- Bosch RSA gave us R 7000 discount towards a gas stove
Creating Change are very grateful for the sponsorships that they have received – yet are still hoping to raise money for wages and salaries. Greater funding is required to reach the entire Ocean View community and to ensure that the programmes are sustainable – and can continue to enhance the lives of so many young people.
Follow this link to find out more about Creating Change.
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