Intouch Youth Development and Community Justice brought environmental awareness to Driezik 5, Orange Farm, through a community-focused initiative commemorating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies at Solwazi Primary School. The programme created an opportunity for learners and community members to engage in meaningful discussions about the importance of clean air, environmental protection and the need for healthier surroundings, while encouraging young people to take an active interest in the environment around them.
The initiative brought together 74 learners and 18 community members, providing a platform to raise awareness about the impact of environmental challenges on communities and the role individuals can play in addressing them. The organisation used the occasion to emphasise that clean air is not only an environmental concern, but is also closely linked to the health and wellbeing of communities, making environmental education an important part of empowering young people and preparing them to become responsible citizens.
A key highlight of the programme was the planting of four trees at Solwazi Primary School. The trees represent more than an effort to create greener spaces, as they also serve as a lasting symbol of hope, responsibility and collective action. Through the tree-planting activity, learners and community members were given a practical reminder that small actions can contribute towards creating healthier and more sustainable environments for present and future generations.
Founder and Managing Director of InTouch Youth Development and Community Justice, Dr Ronny Kapaso, said the initiative provided an important opportunity to educate young people and encourage them to become more conscious of their responsibility towards the environment.
“We are truly humbled and honoured to have been part of this important initiative. Through awareness, education and action, we can empower our communities to take greater responsibility for the environment and work towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future,” said Dr Kapaso.
Intouch expressed its appreciation to the principal and School Management of Solwazi Primary School for welcoming the organisation and providing a platform where learners and members of the community could participate in the awareness programme. The organisation said schools play an important role in creating environmental awareness among young people, as lessons learnt at an early age can encourage children to make responsible choices and influence positive change within their families and communities.
Special appreciation was also extended to Unlimited Peace and Smiles and She Evolves for assisting with the necessary arrangements, providing the trees and supporting the successful implementation of the initiative. Their contribution helped turn the environmental awareness message into a practical activity that learners could participate in and understand, while also leaving something meaningful behind for the school and wider community.
The organisation also applauded its Game Changers for their dedication, teamwork and involvement throughout the programme. Their participation helped create an engaging environment for the learners and ensured that the awareness session went beyond simply discussing environmental issues by allowing young people to participate in activities that encouraged teamwork, responsibility and a greater appreciation for their surroundings.
Intouch further acknowledged the support and partnership of the Seriti Institute, City of Johannesburg and Breathe Cities, whose involvement contributed to creating opportunities for communities to engage with environmental and climate-related challenges. The organisation highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing issues that affect communities, particularly where education, awareness and practical action need to work together.
For Intouch, the initiative served as a reminder that meaningful environmental change starts at community level, including in schools, households, streets and neighbourhoods where people live and interact every day. As the four newly planted trees take root and grow, they will stand as a lasting reminder of the conversations held during the programme and the shared responsibility to protect the environment, promote cleaner air and work towards healthier communities for generations to come.
