The Eden Festival of Action 2019 is Greenpop’s 8th annual environmental action event.
Over 3 weeks, we plant thousands of indigenous trees, learn about natural building practices, brighten up schools with environmental murals and trees, assist local wildlife efforts, set up recycling systems, practice environmentally-conscious living, discuss and learn about climate change, conservation, biodiversity, sustainable and appropriate technologies, and active citizenship. Each year, the programme evolves and adapts to the environmental and community needs and our collective learnings.
Through the support of the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative, Knysna Municipality, Bitou Municipality, and Cape Nature, we were able to host 43 local youth during the first week of the Eden Festival of Action.
The students had an immersive experience and gained skills in local ecology, landscaping, permaculture,
beekeeping, natural and eco-building, mural painting, sustainability practices, and environmental management. In addition, they also practiced valuable skills like public speaking, communication, and teamwork. There was also time for personal development; through leadership and citizenship training and one-on-one and group mentor sessions.
Here is what local students had to say about their week at the Festival of Action:
“I learnt quite a lot. If you care for the earth, for the environment, it doesn’t mean you aren’t cool or
something. It’s just that you are trying to make a better life for you, and the next generation to come. And that changing the way you live isn’t a bad thing.” – Anikyle Davids, Plettenberg Bay Secondary School.“My favourite part was learning new things, and doing the different workshops. And also meeting so many awesome people who have the same values as I do.” – Courtney Julie, BRAVE, Rock Girl South Africa “That by being one we are great, but by working together as a team we are better” – Carlon Hennies, Knysna Secondary School.
“I learnt that together, we can make a very big difference and I think I also learnt in a way we are not really all strangers, we kind of know each other already – even though we don’t” – Sahara Tagunna,
Homeschool Who is Greenpop?
Greenpop is a social enterprise on a mission to (re)connect people with the planet. They plant trees through urban greening and reforestation projects, spread environmental education, and activate people through green workshops and events. Greenpop was founded in 2010 and has since planted over 100 000 indigenous and fruit trees at schools and other urban sites, community farms as well as forests across South Africa, Zambia, and Tanzania.
More than the number of trees, Greenpop is inspired by the hands that have helped to plant the trees and the further thousands that have joined Greenpop’s eco-education programmes and made a commitment to be custodians of our beautiful planet.
Website: www.greenpop.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Greenpop
Twitter: @Greenpop
Instagram: @GreenpopSA
Phone: +27(0)21 461 9265
Email: info@greenpop.org
