WATCH: Clean Projects set their sights on the city’s youth

Learners of Benoni Nursery School, Farramere, watched in awe as members of Clean Projects removed vehicle parts, juice bottles and even swimming trunks from storm water drains outside their school on September 15.

Extending its reach throughout the community as it continues cleaning and beautifying the city’s streets, the community-driven project is now turning its attention to local schools, explaining the importance of recycling to little ones.

“We have received overwhelming support and assistance from the adults of Benoni, but believe that to maintain momentum for the project we need to rally the youth, instilling clean habits from a young age,” said Alison Etherington, one of the organisation’s founders.

Peering into the manholes, which were opened by the organisation’s manager Tristen Adams, the learners wriggled their noses as rubbish and litter were removed from the drains.

“Rain goes into the drains and goes all the way to the rivers,” explained one of the tots from the Penguin Class.

“Everything in the drain washes away with the water and goes to the sea. Rubbish kills the dolphins and turtles.”

Smiling broadly as his teachers applauded his explanation, he said that rubbish must go in the trash can, not the street.

“Children are well aware of the consequences that littering has on the environment and are passionate about solutions such as recycling,” said Etherington.

“We hope by embarking on roadshows such as these, where we are able to show children the impact of pollution so that they will become active environmental warriors.”

Armed with recyclable items sourced from home, the learners were helped onto the Clean Projects tractor trailer where they neatly packed their goodies to be recycled.

“My mommy says that Clean Projects has made our city prettier,” said another learner as she stepped back in line, before heading off to class.

“I want to go help them when they paint the streets again, they are really nice people.”

Waving as the two classes returned to the school grounds, Etherington said that she is proud of the learners’ knowledge and applauded the teachers for explaining concepts such as active citizenship in a manner that is easy to grasp for the little ones.

“We are definitely on the right path and the future of our natural resources is safe in these kids’ hands,” she said.

“We can already see the difference being made, I am sure they will follow in our footsteps.”

For more information or to become part of Clean Projects, contact Etherington on 083 497 0610.

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