WESSA Schools Programme Annual Report 2019/2020

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CEO FOREWORD WESSA Schools Report 2019/20

The world, South Africa and indeed WESSA, have all been part of a pandemic that has challenged everything we thought that we know, on all fronts of economics, psychology, social fabric and individual wellbeing. As Winston Churchill was working to form the United Nations after WWII, he famously said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. In another context, Churchill’s insight on human nature can also be applied to the global pandemic of COVID-19 we face today. Human nature in WESSA during the crisis has also been tested and tested again. Character was shown in most respects, optimism and realism mixed in one sentence and the views about WESSA from our stakeholders primarily remains positive. It has been a breath of fresh air to experience limited negativity during this trying period, and I suppose the reason for this, is that nobody truly has the experience and skills sets to deal with the business effects of the pandemic. Everyone is learning from the other one, customer is learning from service provider, service provider is learning from the customer, Boards of Directors are learning afresh what governance means during the days of COVID-19, truthfully, there is not one person or group that can claim to be experts.

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The WESSA Schools Programme

reached more than a million South African youth over the past year.

future . It is so encouraging to share that the Schools Programme reached more than a million South African youth over the past year. WESSA has an illustrious and significant history which spans over the 94 years of the existence of the organisation as an environmental NGO. We have come a long way from the conservation education and outdoor adventure experience learning in and about the environment which had a strong focus on wildlife or species preservation. Today, we have a

I am very proud of the WESSA Schools Programme and what they have achieved during these extraordinary times. The ability to respond to the changing needs of our stakeholders whilst continuing to fulfil the contractual obligations of our projects has been nothing short of exemplary. Themandate of the Schools Programme is to invest in young people and facilitate the Sustainable Development Goals by working with schools and teachers to support and improve school curricula and equip children for a sustainable

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WESSA Schools Programme | Impact Report | 2019/2020 4