NKOMAZI – Learners from nine primary schools in the Nkomazi Local Municipality will join children of the world in marking 1 000 000 footprints against the continued exploitation and destruction of Africa’s natural resources.
“We are asking kids from the entire world to place their footprints on sheets of cloth in their stand against what is happening to Africa’s wildlife – in particular the rhino and elephant. Along with a fun-filled, awareness presentation, we are visiting schools across South Africa to get them to make their mark,” explained Ms Margie Kolver the head of One More Generation (OMG) in South Africa.
She says the campaign follows a unity between One More Generation and other two worldwide NGO’s the Dance To Be Wild and Children 4 Conservation. It is scheduled to kick start from July 23 until 25.
“This campaign aims to afford all children of the world the opportunity to realise that their voices are powerful and capable of fuelling change and transformative action. It is their opportunity to participate in the greatest display of unity ever seen,” said Kolver.
“When united, children have the potential to make positive changes happen. By placing their footprints and names on sheets of fabric, the children of the world will be participating in a united symbolic walk across the African continent – a peaceful protest against the continued exploitation and destruction of Africa’s natural resources,” she added.
She added that Africa, with all its splendid natural wealth, had become a prime target for huge illegal international crime syndicates, which profit from all that is African.
“The continent is rapidly losing its wildlife to illegal poaching, and income realised from these heinous crimes is being utilised to fund terrorism, human and drug trafficking and civil unrest. Hence the need to preserve Africa’s wildlife and rich natural heritage is imperative for its survival,” she said.
“We anticipate impacting about 5 000 youth who live in less advantaged areas – and we need any financial contributions to facilitate this outreach campaign,” she said.
One More Generation (OMG) is a US based non-profit organisation founded in 2009 by two minors – Carter Ries (13) and his sister Olivia (11) – in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of the many endangered species around the world. Their goal is to help all of them to survive at least one more generation and beyond.
OMG has also developed various environmental education programmes, which are currently being implemented in various countries around the globe.
Enquiries: Margie Kolver on 083-738 4606 or at margie@onemoregeneration.org or www.onemoregeneration.org.
