EnviroKids January 2019 Issue

Have you heard about the WESSA Youth Programmes?

Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE)

Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is a youth-led environmental journalism initiative that aims to enable our youth to take a stand for their local social and environmental issues through the media of writing, photography or video. It creates a productive space for our youth to craft a sustainable and environmentally just future while developing skills to make a positive contribution to environmental injustices. YRE is a creative, participatory, nurturing, action and solution-oriented, and fun space for young like-minded individuals and groups. The YRE programme uses a four-step methodological process to guide local campaigns and enhance skills in critical thinking, research and problem-solving. The programme uses the Sustainable Development Goals as international annual themes for young reporters to adopt and explore. YRE is co-ordinated internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The programme is active in 35 countries around the world and implemented in South Africa by WESSA.

Schools & Youth Entrepreneurship

The Schools & Youth Entrepreneurship programme aims to prepare young people to become active participants in a sustainable economy. The five programmes are: Head Start: Head Start provides creative workshops for parents, caregivers and early childhood develop- ment practitioners on how to create effective and useful tools, games and learning support materials for young children. Triple H: Head, Heart & Hands. Head is for theory, thinking and learning. Heart is about caring for the Earth, people and sustainability. Hands is about being able to apply theory and ways of think- ing in a practical sense. There are two components to this part of the programme- Grade 7 Entrepre- neurship, and High School Business Clubs. Greening the School Tuckshop is a programme that enables the school tuckshop to become a learning tool for business development, and also addresses waste management in a school environment through the creation of eco-bricks for the building of an outdoor classroom. Eco-Hub: Eco-hub is a three-year programme that provides young people with a self-directed learning journey that enables them to gain practical skills towards entrepreneurship and developing an understanding of their role in the economy. EEESAY (Entrepreneurial and Environmental Empowerment for South African Youth). In addition to experiential learning, young people gain essential life skills such as creative thinking, problem-solving, leadership and team work.

To find out how you can get involved, contact Cindy-Lee Cloete (Programme Manager: LEAF & YRE) cindy.cloete@wessa.co.za

Learning about Forests (LEAF) aims to inspire young people to enjoy the outdoors and nature. This programme educates people about the role forests play in enabling sustainable life on our planet, including the cultural, ecologic, economic and social functions and benefits they offer. LEAF schools can work on a variety of action projects through the five LEAF themes: Forests & Biodiver- sity; Forests & Water; Forests & Products; Forests & Climate; and Forests & Community. Linked to our South African heritage, LEAF collaborates with schools to reconnect with, learn about, be inspired by and take ownership of our natural and man- made forests. Learning About Forests (LEAF)

10

WESSA Youth Programmes