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.
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.
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.
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.
The school is located in Pacaltsdorp in George, and has approximately 1500 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12). There is a hostel on the school grounds providing limited number of student accommodation.
There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners daily, including meals for the hostel residents. The intention of Pacaltsdorp High School going forward is to re-invest in the existing vegetable garden which has fallen into disarray as a result of a lack of project funding to continue with the maintenance and upkeep thereof. There is capacity on the school grounds to grow food gardens capable of feeding the school goers as well as the 3-meals-a-day feeding requirements of the hostel residents.
A small team of ground-staff will oversee the trees in collaboration with the school members who are part of The Green Club.
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.
“The Precious Tree Project rolled out their tree-planting and environmental awareness initiative at primary schools in underprivileged communities in George over the past eight months.” Click here to read the full article in the George Herald.
Our Gift-a-Tree platform is one of our popular avenues for sponsoring trees towards our wildlife rehabilitation corridors, where we plant out a range of tree species in bio-mimicked forest patches in one of our three wildlife corridor rehabilitation projects.
This planting was a particularly emotional one – for all those who gifted trees to the forest pocket as well as for the team planting them out. It was the first time we were planting an entire forest pocket that was dedicated in memory of the passing of a loved one. 102 trees were gifted through the Gift a Tree platform in honour of Michelle Butler, and we planted them out, with her mom and dad, in our Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor.
Michelle’s loss cannot be replaced… yet knowing a forest pocket was planted out in her memory that itself will support many forms of life going forward, has brought a greater sense of peace and ease to the family.
“Michelle, may your soul rest in peace between these beautiful trees in the forest with the sound of the wind and the sea in your ears and the eagles soaring above…”
The school is located in Thembalethu, in George. The school has 1826 (Grade R to Grade 7) learners. It is a Section 21 school and therefore allocated financial assistance by the department primarily for teachers, assistants and ground staff, but remains responsible for ordering stationery, textbooks, paying water and lights accounts and undertaking their own general maintenance.
There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners daily. The school has recently set up a vegetable garden as part of the Health Departments goals towards increasing nutritional values of food intake for the learners. Many of the learners attending Thembalethu Primary School do not have a pre-packed lunch and the need to feed the children meals at school is on the rise.
The staff and learners of Thembalethu Primary School & The Precious Tree Project Team Say THANK YOU WMO!
New Dawn Primary School is located in New Dawn Park, Pacaltsdorp, in George. The school has approximately 1200 learners (Grade 1 to Grade 7) with an additional special needs class of 15 learners. The school is a public primary school and is well maintained on the limited funds provided by the Dpt. of Education. New Dawn Park was built in 2002 and as a Section 21 school, is accordingly allocated some financial funding by the department but remains responsible for ordering stationery, textbooks, paying water and lights accounts and undertaking their own maintenance. It is a no fee institution. Community fundraising to bring in additional income into the school is required. The school is mostly absent of trees around the playing fields and outdoor areas.
There is an existing food kitchen that feeds the learners lunch. The intention of the school is to invest in a vegetable and fruit garden that can support the needs of the school kitchen.
The staff and learners of New Dawn Primary School & The Precious Tree Project Team Say THANK YOU WMO!
Today wasn’t just about putting roots in the ground; it was about the incredible spirit of community and the power of collective action to nurture our precious environment. We had the pleasure of hosting not one, but two wonderful planting sessions, each with its own unique charm.
Morning Bloom: THYME to Plant
Our morning began with a heartwarming visit from the vibrant seniors of The Garden Thyme Group, hailing all the way from Knysna. This remarkable group, aptly named, certainly proved that age is no barrier to making a tangible difference. They arrived with enthusiasm and a generous spirit, having not only sponsored a number of trees but also rolled up their sleeves to plant them themselves!
We were thrilled to welcome these green-thumbed individuals to the Shamboh site. In a touching gesture, the trees planted during this session were each dedicated in honour of a member of The Garden Thyme Group, sponsored directly by the members themselves. Imagine the legacy these trees will represent, a living tribute to the individuals who care so deeply about our planet.
Witnessing this planting was inspiring – a powerful reminder that every generation has a vital role to play in environmental stewardship. They created a beautiful connection with the land and each other.
Afternoon Flourish: A Mini Forest Takes Root
As the morning sun gave way to the afternoon warmth, we welcomed a different group to another newly cleared section of the Wildlife Corridor. This session focused on creating a small, vibrant mini forest pocket, thanks to the wonderful generosity of individuals who sponsored trees through our “Gift a Tree” platform.
It’s always incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact of these sponsorships. Today, we planted a significant number of trees, each one representing a thoughtful contribution from someone who believes in the power of nature and the importance of reforestation. These trees will contribute to the biodiversity of the area, providing habitat and helping to create a thriving ecosystem within this small pocket of land.
The afternoon planting session was a testament to the collective impact of individual actions. Each sponsored tree, when planted together, creates something far greater than the sum of its parts – a growing, breathing mini-forest that will benefit the environment for years to come.
A Day of Growth, Together
Today was a powerful reminder of the incredible things we can achieve when we work together. From the enthusiastic seniors of The Garden Thyme Group to the thoughtful individuals who gifted trees, every single contribution, big or small, plays a vital role in our mission.
We extend our deepest gratitude to The Garden Thyme Group for their visit, their sponsorship, and their inspiring energy. And to everyone who has gifted a tree through our platform, thank you for your support!
Click here if you would like to Gift A Tree! We have selected 11 of our favourite endemic forest tree species for you to choose from. The tree species you select and sponsor in honour / celebration of a loved one, will be planted out in one of reforestation projects in the Garden Route, with a range of other species, in bio-mimicked indigenous forest patches that emulate the natural forest biome of the area.
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