ENCOURAGING children to explore and learn about nature from a young age means that they’re more likely to make more environmentally friendly choices as they progress into adulthood.

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The Kinship Programme, run by Michaela Geytenbeek from Durban North, does just that.

Geytenbeek is a nature lover and is currently completing her Masters in Philosophy of Sustainable Development, and her thesis is based on facilitating a connection to nature.

After noticing the lack of access that children have to wild nature and the effect this may have on their development, she started the programme and now has nine other facilitators on board.

“The programme is the perfect platform to help children develop a relationship with the environment. If there is no relationship established from a young age, we won’t practice sustainable living in nature later on in life,” said Geytenbeek.

Most of the activities are conducted in Durban North, and others are in Ballito.

Not only does the Kinship Programme encourage children to become one with nature and teach them how to care for the environment, it also soothes their anxiety.

“One of the children once said to me, ‘Nature is a place for calmness, and calm is what I like to be’. I’ll never forget that,” said Geytenbeek.

For more information visit www.kinshipprogramme.com