Garbage? We think not!

Bowling using recyclable bottles as pins!

Preaching environmental sustainability is one of our key goals, and it can be seen throughout our education, medical and community projects. From reusing bottles and bags to creating fun games out of used materials, check out the following blog by Volunteer Coordinator Monique Ledger to find out how we're doing our part to save the planet! 

Our Garbage Pick Up project has really gained momentum over the last three months after a few little tweaks, including a change of location, a 7th pickup 'Certificate of Dedication' and an end-of-month 'Recyclable Goods Workshop.'

The first recyclable goods workshop was hosted by volunteers when they took to demonstrating how an old coke bottle could be turned into a mosquito trap - the attendees were mighty impressed!

What followed across various projects was brilliant. Our lovely housekeepers Mumsy and Nonhlanhla began saving everything from coffee cans and tomato cans down to yoghurt containers and old plastic bottles.

Our Khula and Ezwenelisha Support Groups also had demonstrations led by volunteers using old bottles to create mosquito traps.

The first Holiday Club of the year involved many craft making ideas - using plasticbottles to make decorative flowers and cans to make kitchen utensil holders, as well as old water bottles to create a 10 pin bowling set.

Mosquito-trap building at one of our
support groups.

After our first  'Open Community Day' was held, and at a local's suggestion, volunteers jazzed up some old corn sweetcorn cans and made them into some pretty neat collection containers to be placed in Bed and Breakfasts.

Creche plans for themes such as musical instruments have been a massive hit! Some large old coffee tins have been turned into drums, and old salad dressing containers made into maracas - great tools for the children and the teachers!

As our next Holiday Club takes place there are many more activities and planning that is being undertaken by volunteers and integrating many craft activities that can include reusing old packaging. Volunteers and staff are always on the lookout for any new ideas to use what would be discarded material and turn it into something useful.. Please slide us a line if you have any suggestions!