Centre for Diepsloot children is environmentally

A number of non-government organisations rallied together to help a newly formed eco-centre in Diepsloot on 17 April.

One-hundred and fifty volunteers assisted with the finishing touches to Khensani Earthly Touch Eco Centre. The volunteers helped with painting, cleaning up the river and community area and making eco-bricks. More than 450 bags of waste were collected and more than 100 eco- bricks were made for the next phase of the project.

Mark McClue of Action for Responsible Management of Our Rivers (Armour) said they collaborated with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group, otherwise known as Wash Rotary Action Group and Earthly Touch Foundation in building the centre in Diepsloot.

“The classroom used some 16 000 eco-bricks which amounts to 10 tons of waste not entering the environment, which is a great achievement.

“The collaboration was timed with Earth Day 2021 and is the start of a year’s activities from the team to develop the centre further to increase awareness and standards within life and the surrounding community environment,” McClue said.

Other well-known organisations in the community who assisted in the day’s events included Cetric Foundation, Khutaza Foundation, Pikitup, and Adopt a Village.

Diana Musara, founder of Earthly Touch Foundation, founded the centre as part of a project called the Khensani Collection and its aim is to provide a place of learning and activities for the Diepsloot community. She was overwhelmed at the response from community members and organisations who assisted on the day with making the eco-bricks for the classroom. “We chose eco-bricks for building to bring awareness about the impact of plastic pollution to our environment and show the community that plastic can be turned into something useful.

“The centre will provide three extra classrooms, a library, and a gym for recreation for both our learners and women from the community. A shop that students use to sell second-hand goods and proceeds goes towards school expenses,” Musara said.

She added that more was still to be done regarding the expansion of the centre as only one classroom had been built and construction was still ongoing.

“The centre provides a hall used by a local church, a women’s gym that provides fitness and self-defence lessons for over 60 ladies, food gardens, a small football pitch and a classroom to provide extra school lessons.

“The next stage will see a community building and more classrooms.”

Details: Diana Musara: 082 900 2329