A project offering yoga and environmental mindfulness in South African schools is working to transform communities and shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Mologadi Kekana, bird story agency
In the mid-naughties, a chance encounter between two women in Cape Town sparked a flame. Nokuphiwo Jada and Janna Kretzmar discovered a shared dedication to volunteering, practising meditation – and yoga. Their shared values gave rise to an idea about education. heightened awareness and caring.
“Back then, it was just an idea, a flicker of a holistic approach to empower disadvantaged communities,” Jada recalled.
“It was around 2007, I met with Janna, the visionary behind the EarthChild Project.”
With the combined energy and determination of the two women, the idea of bringing a holistic and experiential learning approach into schools through a non-profit organisation took root.
“I was drawn to the concept. As someone from the same community, the thought of introducing these transformative tools resonated deeply,” Jada disclosed.
The women co-founders started small and began their journey at a single school in Lavender Hill in South Africa’s Western Cape. As the years unfolded, the organisation expanded its reach to encompass eight schools across Khayelitsha and Lavender Hill townships, bridging the gap between diverse communities.
The project was driven by a desire to illuminate positive impacts in Africa – a testament to the proactive spirit not only of these two African women, determined to address social issues head-on rather than waiting for external interventions, but also the potential that exists across the continent.
When Ayabulela Mata was 10 years old, she was featured in a video about the activities of the organisation. In it, primary school-going Ayabulela confidently shared how the project had developed her self-esteem and future aspirations.
“Yoga makes me feel happy, it makes me feel like I am on another world where there is peace, unlike where I am living,” Ayabulelwa said at the time.
Today Mata’s father, Siyabulela Mata, reflects on the remarkable impact a school project has had on his daughter’s life.
“The influence this project wielded over my children’s lives is truly remarkable. Ayabulela, in particular, has evolved into a mentor for her younger sister, Lisolethu. The project has nurtured her self-confidence, kindled her respect for others, and ignited within her an innate kindness and empathy towards her peers,” Mata shared.
Ayabulela’s younger sibling, Lisolethu Mata, was also drawn into the program, after witnessing the profound transformation of her sister.
As Ayabulela’s journey continues, her aspirations go beyond primary school. She wants to pursue paediatric medicine when she leaves high school.
“She envisions remaining a part of this project even as she steps into high school, driven by her desire to serve as a mentor,” her father said.
“Let us stand alongside our children, nurture their dreams, and propel them towards success,” he said, going on to address the wider impact of the project.
“Participation in this initiative serves as a deterrent, guiding children away from pitfalls such as substance abuse, alcohol, child labour, and teenage pregnancy,” he emphasised.
The EarthChild Project’s mission is threefold: environmental education, health and wellness, and life skills.
“This integrated approach aims to foster conscious individuals who are not only mindful of their surroundings but are also equipped with the necessary skills to thrive. The objective is clear – creating conscious children today to build conscious leaders for tomorrow,” Jada highlighted.
At Ntwasahlobo Primary School, situated within an informal settlement named Site B in Khayelitsha, school principal Sam Sehloho grapples with an environment marred by pressing challenges – high unemployment rates, crime, and substance abuse – while opportunities for social development remain scarce. For him, EarthChild Project’s efforts to instil positive values within the student body is welcome support.
“The project introduces these children to a realm of life that they might never have encountered,” Sehloho explained.
By infusing the school with yoga and an array of diverse programs, the project illuminates a brighter path for the children it touches. Sehloho also pointed out the positive role of yoga amongst the school’s educators.
“In the realm of teachers, yoga has become a powerful tool for managing the stress inherent in guiding young learners, many of whom hail from challenging backgrounds,” Sehloho explained.
Students at the school are also learning to be more conscious of their environment through the EarthChild’s training of teachers.
“Commencing from the foundation of grades 1 to 3 with the innovative practice of earthworm farming, our teachers undergo specialised training to effectively mentor our learners. The waste products generated by the learners serve to nourish our gardens, fostering an environment of fascination. This, in turn, engenders a sense of anticipation for the wondrous unfoldment of each day, allowing our learners to focus on activities that truly enrich their lives,” Sehloho explained.
Communications and Marketing Manager of the EarthChild Project, Carly Appleby shared the EarthChild project’s mission.
“In a world where many young lives are shaped by adversity, the EarthChild Project’s mission resonates with an unwavering commitment to nurturing holistic growth,” Appleby said.
The project is committed to converting classrooms into interactive learning spaces in schools that are situated in communities plagued with drug and crime issues. The organisers work hand in hand with teachers to implement their distinctive educational approach.
Appleby further highlighted the project’s transformative power of self-awareness, connection to the environment, and social responsibility.
“Through hands-on experiences and mindfulness practices, we empower at-risk youth not only with emotional intelligence and cognitive skills but also with the strength to overcome challenges that often dominate their communities,” she added.
Appleby highlights that this life-changing project fosters resilience and a profound sense of well-being.
“We are not just transforming their today, we are moulding their tomorrows. The EarthChild Project is not just an initiative; it is a lifeline for these young souls, lighting the path toward a brighter, more empowered future,” Appleby said.
The founders of the EarthChild Project want to expand the project’s reach to other provinces in South Africa and other countries across the African continent in the future.
bird story agency
Useful links:
https://earthchildproject.org/
https://earthchildproject.org/our-team/
