South Africa, George – Eden District Municipality’s Air Quality Unit recently embarked on an air quality project, namely the Eden Clean Fire Campaign. The project was identified due to poor air quality in especially the informal settlements, caused by fires used for household purposes such as cooking and heating.
This peer educational project was funded by price money that was won for the 2013 Greenest Town competition sponsored by the Western Cape Government. The Klein Karoo region was chosen for the launch of the project.
The project entailed the selection of peer educators in collaboration with Oudtshoorn Municipality’s Environmental Services Section. The seven ladies involved are working on the Grootkop Landfill Site in Oudtshoorn. SA Teacher was the appointed service provider to educate peer educators on air pollution, the health effects thereof and how the communities that are largely dependent on fires for household purposes, can reduce the effects of fires on the environment and their health.
Dreyer Lotter (back, 2nd from right) and Ms Liezel Blom (back, 2nd from left) as
well as Eden’s Manager for Air Quality, Dr Johann Schoeman (back, right) and
Mr Ambrose Carelse, Oudtshoorn Municipality (front, right)
The Clean Fire Course was rolled out over a two (2) day period. The course material was compiled by SA Teachers in collaboration with the Eden’s Air Quality Unit. The course material inter alia entailed the following:
- What air pollution is;
- The health effects thereof ;
- What cause air pollution;
- How you can help reduce air pollution;
- How to make a fire;
- How to make a “cleaner” fire for heating purposes; and
- How to construct a stove from waste material.
On day 1 of the Clean Fire Course, the educational material presented was based on the basics of air pollution and how to effectively communicate and educate others members from their communities. At the end of the 1st day of training, the peer educators were given an opportunity to present to the rest on how to communicate and educate others.
communicate and educate the community
Day 2 involved a practical session whereby the peer educators were requested to make a “clean” fire. They also had to construct a stove made from recyclable material which requires less fuel and in turn reduces smoke emissions. The stoves that were constructed were used by each peer educator to prepare a meal.
At the end of the course the peer educators were each given a certificate of attendance and a backpack that is fully equipped with all the necessary hardware and educational material to do physical demonstrations to others members of their communities.
Eden is planning a roll-out of this project to the rest of the district.
For more information, contact:
Mr Johan Schoeman – Manager: Air Quality
E-mail: jschoeman@edendm.co.za or telephone number: 044-693 0006 / 084 317 9167
Mr Angus Andries – District Air Quality Officer
E-mail: angus@edendm.co.za or telephone number: 044-693 0006
Ms Celeste Domingo – Acting Manager: Communications and IDP
E-mail: domingo@edendm.co.za or telephone number: 044-803 1431 / 076 460 7306
