Delegates of the Global Initiative visited Hawston recently to familiarise themselves with projects involving the Hawston Eco Warriors.
The Eco Warriors programme kicked off in 2021 with the aim of teaching participants the necessary skills to become future leaders and realise the importance of protecting nature.
The GI Resilience Fund made a large grant available for the project.
The international organisation’s aim is to provide support to communities affected by gangsterism and crime by nurturing and assisting local initiatives in their responses to organized crime.
Local ward councillor Arnie Africa welcomed the delegation and thanked them for their support.
He added: “Your funding will help to strengthen the skills of beneficiaries, enabling them to be good citizens of our town by developing the talents of children in areas impacted by crime. This type of initiative can challenge the mindsets of our youth and will inspire them not to become involved in crime.”
Rob Fryer, Whale Coast Conservation manager, stated that the cooperative spirit among the various role players bode well for the future expansion of the programme.
Noel Dreyer, founder and leader of the Hawston Cadet Group, which later changed its name to the TS Birkenhead Cadet Group after it was registered as a South African Sea Scouts base, explained the Eco Warriors’ Beyond Expectations Environmental Programme (BEEP) is an important part of the group’s work, as it provides leadership training.
Dreyer, a retired member of the navy, also heads the Eco Warrior programme.
The leadership training is important, said Dreyer, as there are very few good role models in the community plagued by gangsterism, drugs and other social ills.
He said: “They are given the skills to become leaders so others can look up to them to make a positive change. This starts at the foundation with the youth, so we can have law abiding citizens.”
Participants are also involved in environmental programmes such as clean-up operations at the Paddavlei in Hawston, clearing of alien vegetation and WCC’s chameleon relocation programme.
The kids also get to have fun while learning. As part of the BEEP leadership programme they were taken up Table Mountain to learn the importance of scaling any large obstacles in their life and reflecting how far they have come.
The Eco Warriors were also recently taken on a camp and are enjoying swimming lessons.
Sheraine van Wyk of Whale Coast Conservation, which runs the programme, explains that although only members of the cadets are currently part of the programme it is open to all children who may be interested.
She said: “There may be some kids who aren’t interested in drilling with the cadets, but who may wish to learn more about leadership skills and the environment. They are welcome to join the Eco Warriors programme.”
. For more information on the Eco Warriors programme and to be part of this project, contact Van Wyk on 083 484 0202 or Dreyer on 073 161 8347.