Current projects

The following projects are planned for 2014. Some have already been initiated.

If you’d like to get involved with any of these projects, please contact EWB-Unisa at info@unisa.ewbsa.org.

Cool for school

During December, EWB-Unisa got into the Christmas Spirit by initiating a collection of items needed by the pre-schools that were visited during 2013. We noted that most of the schools in informal settlements and disadvantaged communities were lacking educational materials. While some pre-schools had tables, chairs and chalkboards, we noticed a lack of playground toys, puzzles, books and educational materials.

Boxes were placed around the Unisa Science Campus and Muckleneuk Campus for people to donate items such as first aid kits, educational materials, stationery, colouring books, story books, and activity items such as balls and bean bags.

The collection was not as successful as we had hoped but we did receive several games, toys and stationery. These were donated to two schools in Lenasia and two schools in Kya Sands. During this process we learned many lessons about collecting for a cause and plan to roll out the Cool for School initiative again in 2014. We aim to increase the collection to give to more schools, provinces and even to other EWB chapters around the country.

Boxes for Cool for School collection

Meeting the children at Happy Feet

The children at Vukuzinzele HIV Safe Haven

Meeting the children at Seskhona Day Care

Commencement date: December 2013 - ongoing

ECD Registration for Seskhona Day Care

EWB-Unisa executive committee and ISHS at Seskona Day Care

Facilitated by the Institute for Social and Health Sciences (ISHS), the committee visited Seskhona Day Care in September 2013. A beautiful school building was donated to Seskhona and the centre has applied for registration as an Early Childhood Development Centre. If registered, they will qualify for subsidies for each child. These subsidies will allow for sufficient payment of teachers’ salaries and the purchase of educational materials, which the current school fees do not cover.

The Day Care’s registration as an Early Childhood Development Centre has been hampered by extensive paperwork and a lack of funds. EWB-Unisa aims to assist with the paperwork and the registration process as well assisting in rectifying issues required for registration. EWB will work closely with the Institute for Social and Health Sciences during this process.

Commencement date: February 2014

Sandpits

Outdoor play stimulates imagination and creativity in children. Some of the schools we visited did not have any outdoor facilities (jungle gyms, sand pits, etc.) but did have large play areas. EWB-Unisa would like to construct sandpits and install other climbing items in these play areas. We are in the process of sourcing material, which we hope will be donated by companies with surplus supply. Volunteers will then be dispatched to the identified schools to get their hands dirty and start digging.

Commencement date: March 2014

Essential oils

EWB-Unisa and MaPS are working together to roll out an essential oils project to various communities and facilities. Currently MaPS is researching the feasibility of distilling essential oils for use in products such as soaps, candles, bath oils and creams. This information would them be used to teach willing community members a new skill and provide an avenue for income generation. EWB-Unisa is also investigating the possibility of creating a Short Learning Programme as a means to transfer the skills for making essential oils and associated products, as well as how to market these products.

Commencement date: January 2013 (research component)

Paving and drainage for Takane Kidz

Takane Kidz is a pre-school started by Caroline to get children school-ready. She has provided space in her home for the pre-school but during bad weather, the children are confined to this small space. Paving and drainage will prevent the garden from becoming muddy during the rains and allow the children to continue their play time when the rain stops. There is also a possibility that we will be able to build a shelter for the children to play under when it rains.

Commencement date: April/May 2013

Biodigesters

Two biogas projects are planned for 2014. The first is at Thuto Pele Secondary School in Katlehong, and the second is at New Jerusalem Children’s home. In both cases, food waste from the kitchens will be used in a biodigester to produce gas for cooking thereby minimising costs for cooking gas. The installation of the biodigester at Thuto Pele will help the students and communities around to learn and see a real application of engineering in their science studies.

Commencement date: March 2013

Planning the biodigester site with the school principal