Category: Activities

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Nature’s Valley

WMO Nature`s Valley Community 27 March 2024

SITE #17: Nature’s Valley

We have been donating a few indigenous trees to this small informal community in Nature’s Valley over the past year. The community comprises 223 members of which 133 are adults (22 years plus) and 90 (below the age of 21). The leadership committee of the community have recently established the Kleinkranz Nature’s Valley Community Forum (NPC) in order to formalise and facilitate funding for projects geared towards the socio-eco-environmental development and upliftment of the community.

A number of projects to uplift the community are on the go, initiated by the Community Leadership. This includes a library, playgrounds, netball field, a sportsfield, and a station for the mobile clinic. A small community food garden was set up 2 years ago by one of the Senior members of the community (Antony), who supervises and runs the garden and apportions the harvest to the families in the community most in need. His intention is to create a station for composting and earthworm farming.The intention is to eventually plant a fruit tree in each household. 

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in our youth, and facilitating the awareness on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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Mini-Forest Magic in the Shamboh Wildlife Corridor

Mini-Forest Magic in the Shamboh Wildlife Corridor - Precious Tree Project

Shamboh WLC expands its biodiversity footprint with another successful mini-forest pocket planting! This latest addition to the forest biome was made possible through the combined contributions of Mines Rescue, who sponsored half the trees, and the wonderful individuals who support us through our Gift a Tree platform in honour of a loved one.

The groundwork for this mini-forest was pre-prepared by the landowner, who diligently thinned the area and cleared it of invasive species. Larger alien trees trees were methodically ringbarked and will be removed in due course, since they provide shade for the newly planted saplings.

Following our established best practices, the new trees within this forest pocket have been planted in close proximity to one another. This method facilitates the development of intricate underground networks, allowing the trees to communicate and support each other as they grow and establish a resilient ecosystem.

Though the planting itself was uncomplicated, the creation of this mini-forest at Shamboh WLC – powered by the generosity of our community – represents a significant step towards a richer and more biodiverse environment.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Kretzenshoop Primary School

WMO Kretzenshoop Primary School - Precious Tree Project

SITE #16: Kretzenshoop Primary School

Kretzenshoop Primary is located in Blanco, in George. The school has approximately 800 learners. This established little school is well-maintained on the limited funds provided by the Department of Education and is a public primary school. The school is a Section 21 school, meaning it is allocated limited finances by the Department (for staff salaries) and is responsible for ordering stationery, text books, paying water and lights accounts, and undertaking their own maintenance under ABCDE functions, and is classified under quintile 1 as a no-fee institution.

There is a small food kitchen that can feed approximately 400 learners daily which is supported by a newly created small-scale vegetable garden (currently not sufficient to supply the food kitchen with all of its requirements). The majority of the learners attending do not have a pre-packed lunch as they reside in a low-income bracket community in which the school is situated.

There is a groundsman who currently handles the general maintenance of the school grounds, and in collaboration with the learners’ maintenance schedule, will handle the overall management of the sponsored trees.

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth, and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being!

Check out the YouTube video below!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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A Tapestry of Remembrance: Planting Seeds of Love in Eastbrook

planting seeds of love eastbrook wildlife corridor precious tree project

The year 2023 etched itself onto our hearts with both sorrow and the quiet promise of renewal. For many, it was a year marked by personal loss, a time when the absence of loved ones left an undeniable void. It was in this spirit of remembrance that The Precious Tree Project embarked on a deeply meaningful activity: planting mini memorial forest pockets, living tributes dedicated to those who have passed on.

This particular planting session held a unique poignancy as we gathered at Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor to create two such pockets, side by side. These verdant spaces were lovingly dedicated to two cherished individuals: David Oldfield and Carol George. Each tree that took root in this shared earth was sponsored by the family and friends of David and Carol, a testament to the enduring impact they had on the lives they touched.

The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection interwoven with a gentle sense of community. Many who held David dear came to participate in the planting, their presence a comforting embrace of shared memories. While no one present had the privilege of knowing Carol George personally, her pocket was intentionally placed beside David’s, creating a shared space of remembrance. We held a ceremony for her too, acknowledging the life that was and the love that surrounded her.

Throughout the process, the air was filled with the gentle rhythm of song and the grounding beat of drums, a harmonious blend of remembrance and the vibrant energy of new life taking hold. Thereafter a meal was shared by all who attended this special gathering.

The groundwork for these pockets was laid by Chrissy, the landowner of Eastbrook WLC, who diligently cleared the chosen space that is free of alien invasive species, and prepared the earth to receive these native trees. This act of stewardship underscores the collaborative spirit of the project, where landowners play a vital role in creating spaces for these mini forests to flourish.

These two pockets at Eastbrook stand as more than just collections of trees. They are palpable expressions of love, remembrance, and connection. They are spaces where memories can breathe, where the rustling leaves whisper stories, and where the cycle of life continues, honoring those who are no longer with us in their physical form. The Precious Tree Project team is humbled to facilitate these acts of enduring love, one tree, one forest pocket, one memory at a time.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Thembalethu High School

Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Thembalethu High School Precious Tree Project

SITE #15: Thembalethu High School

The school is located in Thembalethu in George and has approximately 1300 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12). As a no-fee institution, funds for maintenance and development are limited. Community fundraising to bring in additional funding for maintenance, upkeep, etc. is essential but very limited from within the community therefore the school relies on external sponsors for assistance.

There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners daily. The school has recently been subsidised a small vegetable garden that is well maintained by the caretaker. Ongoing maintenance and supply of vegetable seedlings/seeds will be required to keep the garden going. Limited composting of garden refuse is done on site.

There is a small team of ground staff who are responsible for the general maintenance of the school grounds and who have designated responsibilities for the upkeep of the grounds.

A limited number of water tanks are installed on the school grounds – providing adequate water storage and accessible watering points around the school for the watering of the trees.

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth, and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being.

Check out the Youtube video below!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Imizamo Yethu High School

Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative Imizamo Yethu High School Precious Tree Project

SITE #14: Imizamo Yethu High School

Imizamo Yethu High School is located in Thembalethu, George and has approximately 1500 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12). The school is a public secondary school and a no-fee institution and relies on additional funds from external sources outside of the Dpt. of Education, since the latter provides limited funding.

The school is collaborating with Heatherlands High School to create a “Shared Responsibility and Use” of upgrading the sports field, including planting trees to create shaded areas.

There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners. The school, as part of the new Agricultural Sciences recently introduced to Grade 8, has started an enclosed vegetable garden to feed the school kitchen, as part of the Agricultural Sciences curriculum.

There is a small team of ground-staff who are responsible for the general maintenance of the school grounds and a dedicated gardener for the fruit & vegetable garden, all of whom are available to oversee the trees in collaboration with the Agricultural Sciences classes.

Thank you, World Memon Organisation, for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being.

Check out the Youtube video below!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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PTP Mini Outreach Program – Greening up the Local Community Playgrounds

precious tree project

There is a small informal community in Nature’s Valley which is nestled in and amongst Milkwoods and Cheesewoods on the sand dunes of Kleinkrantz. Under the supervision and direction of Brian Mushfield, a retired minister and Kleinkrantz resident, the community have been working closely with one another to elevate their space and develop their community.

One specific project has been the upgrade of the existing playground and the creation of two play areas for the children. The need for trees across these playgrounds was fulfilled when Cheesewoods and Milkwoods, the endemic tree species that grows naturally in the area, were donated by local Wilderness residents, Mike and Romy. The community, old and young alike, joined us to plant these – as well as additional Milkwoods donated by Precious Tree Project –  in and around the playground areas.

“Blessed are old people who plant trees knowing that they shall never sit in the shade of their foliage”

If the elders of the community do not get to sit under the shade of these trees they planted, the children of the community will.

Precious Tree Project is involved in a number of wildlife rehabilitation projects between Wilderness and Sedgefield. If you would like to sponsor an indigenous South African forest tree towards these corridors, click here – OR – visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – George High School

tree planting george high school precious tree project

SITE #13: George High School

The school is located in LeVallia, George, and was established in 1947. It currently has approximately 1600 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12) with a school hostel which provides student accommodation for a limited number of learners. The school is a public secondary school, is a no-fee institution and relies on the limited funds provided by the Department of Education. Community fundraising to bring in additional income into the school is required but opportunities to do so are limited from within the community itself.

There are a number of existing trees around the school grounds but many of them are non-indigenous trees. A number of the latter have been chopped down and the trunks used as seating for the learners around the school grounds.

There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners daily, including meals for the hostel residents. The school is in the process of creating an area near the hostel for a fruit garden. The garden is in the early stages of design and its establishment is in process and in line with the Agricultural Sciences curriculum.

There is a small team of ground-staff who are responsible for the general maintenance of the school grounds and who are available to oversee the trees in collaboration with the Agricultural Sciences learners.

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in our youth and facilitating the awareness on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being.

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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SMEC George Celebrates Anniversary with Environmental Action

The SMEC team in George took team building to a whole new level – one that involved getting their hands dirty and connecting with the beautiful natural environment around them. Facilitated by Melissa Dalton, PTP Administrator and Public Officer, the session was perfectly timed to coincide with Arbour Month (September), adding a meaningful layer of environmental awareness to their team bonding experience.

The session kicked off with an insightful look into the importance of the fynbos and forest biomes that are so vital to our region. Melissa highlighted their significance for biodiversity, the challenges they face, and the crucial connection we all share with the natural world. It was a valuable reminder of the rich ecological tapestry that surrounds us here in the Garden Route, Western Cape.

Adding a tangible element to their commitment, SMEC, an international business with offices in George, sponsored 10 trees in celebration of their 10 years in business. This gesture not only contributes to the local environment but also provides a fantastic opportunity for the team to get involved directly.

For some, it was a brand new experience – the feel of soil between their fingers, the weight of a young sapling. By the end of the planting session, a happy and fulfilled group stood back to admire their handiwork, a testament to the power of shared experience and a connection with nature.

It’s inspiring to see an international company like SMEC embrace local environmental initiatives, fostering both team spirit and a deeper understanding of our precious natural heritage. This tree-planting activity was undoubtedly a memorable and impactful experience for the SMEC team in George, proving that growth and connection can happen in more ways than one.

Well done, team SMEC!

Click here if you would like to Gift A Tree!

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Jonga High School

WMO Jonga High School 11 August 2023 - precious tree project

SITE #12: Jonga High School

Jonga High School is located in Thembalethu, George, and has approximately 1400 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12). The school has been approved additional classrooms on adjacent land offered as a land swap by the Department of Agriculture in order to accommodate the increasing numbers of learners completing Grade 7 (coming out of the local primary schools).

The school is a public and secondary school and while it is allocated some funding by the Education Department, it remains responsible for ordering stationery, textbooks, paying water and lights accounts and undertaking their own maintenance. Community fundraising to bring in additional income into the school is limited given the lowered socio-economic bracket within which the community falls. There is an existing food kitchen that feeds the learners daily and an enclosed space has been created for a vegetable garden. The intention of the school is to invest in establishing and maintaining the vegetable and fruit garden so that it can support the needs of the school kitchen.

The groundsman who currently handles the general maintenance of the school grounds will oversee the trees in collaboration with the staff and learners who participated in the activity.

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being.

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.