Our first school building was situated in the premises of an old pineapple factory close to Suni-Ridge and volunteer teachers provided lessons for the children. Unfortunately we were given notice to move and we found ourselves unable to find other premises, so we borrowed a large South African Defense Force Tent and moved the school into this tent which we erected under a huge maroela tree.

Children from False Bay School at Suni-Ridge

This photo shows some children, many of whom are AIDS orphans, from the False Bay school, spending a day at our reserve.

See the False Bay School photo galleries

Days like this are invaluable, as children learn how to interpret habitat and wildlife, as well as cultural conservation (including the medicinal use of plants and trees). This is something that would have been handed down by their parents.

Eventually the Kwa Zulu Natal Department of Education agreed to assist our school, which we named False Bay School. It was built on land that we acquired near to Suni-Ridge. Qualified teachers were also provided by the Department to teach at the school.

Today False Bay School serves a very important group of underprivileged children. Many of these children are sadly aids orphans who are living with extended families in the area (perhaps a grandmother, aunt or uncle) or sometimes even acquaintances of family.

They often do not have access to sufficient food or a balanced diet and for this reason our school also provides the children with a feeding scheme.

Their poverty and challenges at this early stage in their lives, do not change the fact that they have – like so many privileged children – those wonderful characteristics which are special to all children.

Also see our Young Environmental Ambassador’s Leadership Course for older children.

There are millions of people around the world who don’t have access to basic amenities, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, food and education.

This SCHOOL Campaign invites schools and school children from developed countries around the world to donate to the Zulu children at False Bay School, South Africa.

© Austin Julian Mitchev is the inspiration behind the Suni-Ridge SCHOOL Campaign.

When we first moved to Suni-Ridge, one of our main priorities was to establish a primary school for the under-priviledged children in the local communities. False Bay School is a wonderful success and provides basic education to pupils, many of whom are HIV/AIDS orphans.

Most of these children are extremely poor, and don’t have access to food, clean water or other basic amenities. Many don’t even own a pair of shoes to walk to school in.

If children from the developed world donated just $1 / £1 / €1, it would make a huge difference to the children at False Bay School.

This campaign has been inspired by Austin Julian Mitchev, the son of one of our guests at Leopard Walk Lodge.

As a 5th grader at the Colleen Bevis Elementary School in Lithia, Florida (USA), Austin got an A+ for his essay entitled, “What Happens in the World“.

Please join us in supporting the children at False Bay School?

“What Happens in the World” by Austin Julian Mitchev (dated 10-26-2007)

In the world many people are homeless, ill, and dying. If you don’t know why you should help then it’s time for you to get going.

Everyday over 20,000 people die from starvation, disease, war and other life injustices. Some people think it’s not important to help out, but they are very wrong. Everybody needs to help out and donate their time, money and talent to other people who are not as fortunate as us. For example, UNICEF raises money to provide necessities for children to live a good life. It’s so important to help out because everybody in the world should have a good life that they can enjoy. Most people in America have good stable lives, but unlike most of us in America other people in the world would do anything for basic things like an education, nutritious food, clean water, and good health.

Many organizations around the world try to make a difference in the world. But I don’t think they should be the only ones helping out. I think I can make a difference in this world, by helping my aunt with food production for the needy in South Africa. Also, there are many people living on the side of the road. So I can help out by bringing food, blankets, and other necessities that they would need to survive. But also, I think, there are ways for other kids to help out. One way other kids can help out, is by raising money, to help buy blankets and warm clothes for the cold winter months for the unfortunate homeless people. These staple essentials we take for granted everyday is what they need for survival on the streets daily.

In my opinion, I think no one in the world knows everything that’s going on, so why not help out and make sure nothing horrible happens to people in the future. Even though for some people charity begins in different countries, for me -> charity must begin at home and every little bit counts.

By supporting our ECO-AMBASSADOR Campaign, you are encouraging the leaders of tomorrow to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

The 5-day course is based at Suni-Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary, and strives to achieve the following:

• The children are led to an all-encompassing understanding of Humanitarianism (Ubuntu)
• They are inspired to be proud of their inner capabilities and to know that they can excel in their ambitions and dreams
• They learn that human life is intricately bound with the environment, and that all life forms are to be respected and managed wisely
• These young leaders are encouraged to conserve their culture

The following topics and activities are included in the five day course:

Our duty to manage the environment – discussions, assessments of the main concerns. Animals have feelings! The learner gains a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms. This awareness encourages a love for all life forms. Compassionate decision making is encouraged regarding the wise management of the environment by focusing on:

• Leadership qualities and humanatariasm
• Sustainable land use
• Wise management of resources
• Prevention of air pollution/acid rain
• Water shortages and droughts – wetlands (focus on False Bay World Heritage Site)
• Protection of water quality and use of correct sanitation
• Species fauna and flora – interpretation/protection of biodiversity
• The galaxy
• Environment and culture
• Home food gardens to provide food security
• The effect of all of this ultimately on man’s quality of life on earth.

A broad variety of subjects is investigated with the learners that include:

Humanitarianism – the introduction to Humanatariasm investigates the differences that historical and present day leaders have made to the world, such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Jane Goodall, Florence Nightingale, St. Francis. It also investigates findings by modern day scientists who are discovering more about how the world was created.

Music and dance – building self confidence and relaxation

Art in the environment – group work, sketches/drawings, literary essay: “What becoming a young environment ambassador means to us!”

Excursion to False Bay and hike at the lake – the learner experiences the World Natural Heritage Site and interprets the concepts of wetlands and forests identified during the field lecture

Excursion to “Big Five” Hluhluwe Game Reserve – in an open wildlife drive vehicle, learners view elephant, rhino, giraffe and other large mammals (often for the first time)

Excursion to croc center – interpretation of crocodiles

Field work – tracking animals; understanding more about their interrelationships. The learner gains a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms, by focusing on the animals encountered

Water & the World Natural Heritage Site, False Bay, Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park – where and what it is of importance to our region (environmentally and financially); eco-tourism; basic ecology of the wetlands – learners gain an understanding of the international, national, regional and local value of wetlands, with a focus on our own World Natural Heritage Site

Forests and trees – Sand Forest; unique endangered habitat; red data species – learners gain an understanding of the value of international, national and local forests, False Bay’ sand forest and gain a general knowledge of red data species and at least 4 locally occurring species

Live snake demonstration, interpretation, the importance of snakes – basic first aid for snake bites, learners gain an understanding of identifying snakes and why they are important for the environment

Campfire activities – leadership, self confidence, singing (create a Course song), observing the stars/galaxy, quiet moments to hear nature sounds, cultural ecology

Basic First Aid – the role of a leader in an emergency, and basic first aid procedures

Healthy living – health and healthy living, soil, water, sanitation

Food security – 80% of South Africa’s children are hungry; organic home gardens; poisons in the environment; working with nature permaculture leading your family towards food security and what can be done; field demonstration of home gardening/food security principles; fertile soil (field demonstration) and the role of the earthworm

Handling pets and other animals – prevention of cruelty to animals

Alien plants – field identification and methods of eradication

Birds in the environment

Bats in the environment – more than 22 species at Suni-Ridge

Environmental school club -identifying options for environmental action at school, such as:

• Improve environment – prevent litter; beautify the area with fruit trees, medicinal plants, shrubs and indigenous trees;
• Outreach into community opportunities; Junior Town council
• Communication – name of club, international communication and local communication with other eco-schools and environmental center; school and community conservation magazine; computerised conservation communication and contacts; school website to be developed
• Eco – school project – steps to be taken to obtain internationally recognized eco-school green flag. Actions defined.
• Eco-Tourism & career opportunities – the economical importance and career opportunities; learners gain an understanding of the international, national, regional and local value of Eco-Tourism; learn about career opportunities
• Eco-tourism – identifying school and community projects; identifying opportunities for the school and community; define projects and actions to be taken

Summation of Course – definition of and commitment to actions that need to be taken

We need your assistance to educate and inspire these young leaders to encourage sustainable living practices in their communities.

Why is Environmental Education Important?

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centre is situated in the environs of the World Natural Heritage Park Isimangaliso Wetland Park in False Bay. Together with the rural community in the Northern Eastern catchment of Lake St. Lucia, we share a common boundary with this World Heritage Site.

Unlike children in developed areas who need to re-plant trees, in our area there are still beautiful trees growing and there is a wonderful river that is relatively undisturbed where it flows through the rural area. These natural resources must be protected.

We have therefore identified an urgent need to work with the rural communities, and to initiate action towards sustainable living through environmental education. We share our knowledge of the importance of protecting the biodiversity and the sustainable use of the catchments of the World Natural Heritage Site, False Bay Park (also see Water Catchment Forum).

Knowledge, and appreciation of natural resources, holds the key to protecting wildlife and conservation. It’s a team effort that needs everyone’s involvement. If we do not bring environmental education to our youth, who are our leaders of tomorrow, the future of wildlife and conservation could be very bleak.

• Eco Tourism is an important revenue earner in the region as it helps to alleviate poverty, but its sustainability will depend on a healthy environment.
• Teaching the youth about home food gardens is also critically important as many homes are not food secure. Good nutrition is also very important in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
• By bringing the understanding to the children of our region that the wealth of our natural environment will benefit them and that it’s future management will be their responsibility.

In KwaZulu Natal there are still vast areas with a high biodiversity, which rural people use within their tribal communities to gather food and medicinal plants. However, rapid development due to population growth, means that there is a steadily growing impact on these resources. For example:

• Trees that are sometimes hundreds of years old, are being felled for fuel and to make way for fields
• Sanitation often needs attention
• Water is scarce due to the water catchment management challenges
• Wildlife is poached for food, the bush meat trade and/or territory conflicts

By supporting our ECO-AMBASSADOR Campaign, you are encouraging the leaders of tomorrow to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

What is the Young Environmental Ambassador Leadership Course?

The course we provide offers an understanding of biodiversity protection, water and sanitation management, animal husbandry and leadership skills to teenagers who have been identified as leaders within their local communities. The knowledge they gain is passed on to their peers and absorbed within the community. View the full course program.

By furthering the learner’s awareness of the environment, the Young Environmental Ambassador’s project equips these children to become environmental leaders in their schools and community.

They are encouraged to reach outwards to initiate environmental projects not only with their own peers at school, but also in their surrounding community where they transfer to others, the knowledge and skills that they have learnt during their life changing experience at Suni-Ridge.

• It is a significant environmental outreach project that is designed to reach hundreds of children in more than 40 schools in the initial stage. It has a continuity and expansion component built into the programme.
• We envisage that every child participating in the course will reach out to at least another 50 children and many community members.
• In this way the Young Environmental Ambassador project will expand it’s effectiveness through an ongoing community outreach and many lives will be touched and uplifted, by this awareness.

The outreach is as follows:

50 x 20 (2 groups of 10 per month) = 1000 persons per month x 12 months = 12 000 persons (or more) reached in the year.

In other words, 12 000 persons growing their own home organic gardens and becoming aware about environmental protection.

Each participant receives:

• A starter pack of seeds
• Instructions to build organic eco circle gardens (in Zulu)
• Information about why fresh healthy organic food is important for the management of HIV/AIDS (in Zulu)
• Instructions about preserving trees and plants and protecting wildlife and birds (in Zulu)
• Information about water protection and sanitation information and contact no’s where help with sanitation may be found (in Zulu)
• A certificate to say that they are participating in the program

We receive from each participant:

A signed copy of a document to illustrate their contact particulars, where they live in the tribal area and their signature agreeing to enter the project at their homes.

To keep the project moving, these aspects are necessary:

• A big community get together – arranged every 6 months, displaying produce and crafts, inviting guests from all sectors, awarding recognition badges and T-shirts
• Approval for the project by Inkosis’ (local community)
• If the project is very successful, we can establish an outlet where they can sell their surplus produce. Local lodges and guest houses will be encouraged to buy produce
• Every month we will circulate a newletter to the community / participants (in Zulu)

Your financial support will enable a young leader to attend this course. The cost covers the 5-day course, as well as follow-up visits to the learners at their school and to maintain ongoing communication.

The 5-day course is located in the Suni-Ridge Wildlife Reserve (view the whole program) and costs R3 000 per student.

The most important thing is to increase awareness of and encourage organic gardening, as well as the protection of wildlife, trees and biodiversity in the rural area.

How do you sponsor an Eco-Ambassador?

We need your assistance to educate and inspire these young leaders to encourage sustainable living practices in their communities. You can sponsor an ambassador by donating R 3,000.00 per student.

Payments can be made by credit card (through Paypal) or by making a direct bank transfer. Please refer to our How you can help / donate page for futher details. Your kind support is very much appreciated!

The lake has experienced droughts before, but this time the factor that tipped the scales against the lake sustaining it’s water, was that no water reached the lake from the rivers as the small amount available was all used upstream.

Although required by the South African National Water Act No. 36 of 1998, no water reserve has been allocated to the catchment. This Act makes provision for water quality and quantity to be set aside to protect the ecological functioning of aquatic ecosystems before water users such as industry or agriculture can be authorized.

The key to balancing equity (some for all) with sustainability (for ever) lies in the new legal provisions in the Water Act of 1008 for the so-called “Reserve”. If all the water in the country could be put into a bucket, the “Reserve” is the water that must always be left in the bucket for basic human and ecological needs.

In the St. Lucia Catchment however, the extraction permit quotas have been based on an annual rainfall average and in dry times the same amount of water – if available – may be abstracted as in average rainfall times. Therefore during dry times, no water flows beyond extraction points such as dams and areas where commercial monoculture tree plantations have been established.

The life blood of the lake is all used upstream in it’s catchment and when there is low rainfall, no water at all reaches the lake! There is often a discrepancy between agricultural abstraction quotas and availability of water for the rural areas too. The historical redirection of rivers feeding Lake St. Lucia such as the Mkuze River and the Mfolozi River for agricultural purposes has also added to the problem.

Suni-Ridge Environmental Centre’s numerous letters concerning the water catchment management of our area, sent to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and copied to all sectors that are involved in catchment management such as KZN wildlife, led us to initiating the St. Lucia Water Catchment management forum that has been established together with DWAF.

This forum has participants from all sectors including conservation, agriculture, business, Urban and Rural representatives. Rob Cuthbertson is currently the Chairman.

False Bay Lake in 2007 – the lake is full again, but with sea water as the mouth opened. It’s not an ideal situation, but better than no water. Water management is one of the topics covered in the 5-day Young Environmental Ambassador’s Leadership Course.