Holiday Workshops with Eco Children
Mandie Gericke • July 17, 2025
When the school term ends and learners head home for the holidays, Eco Children steps in to keep the energy, curiosity, and joy alive — through our much-loved Holiday Workshops.
These workshops offer more than just a way to keep children occupied during the break — they are a space for growth, discovery, and connection with nature. Our dedicated environmental educators play a key role in bringing these workshops to life. With passion and creativity, they design engaging, nature-based activities that spark curiosity and inspire young minds.
Whether it’s digging in the soil, learning how plants grow, or identifying insects and animal tracks, each activity is carefully planned to nurture a love for the environment. Children get the chance to experience first-hand what it means to care for the earth — all while having fun, getting messy, and staying active!
In between games and gardening, learners enjoy energetic soccer matches, educational challenges, and creative expression — all under the guidance of Eco Children’s caring team. These moments aren’t just about play; they’re about building confidence, teamwork, and a sense of purpose.
One of the cornerstones of our Holiday Workshops is ensuring that every child receives a nutritious meal. For many learners, this is one of the most important meals of the day. By making sure that tummies are full, we’re not just supporting physical wellbeing — we’re helping children stay focused, happy, and ready to learn.
At Eco Children, we believe that education doesn’t stop when school is out. Through these workshops, we continue to invest in our youth by providing opportunities to learn through nature, connect with others, and grow as future custodians of our planet.
These holiday sessions are made possible thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, partners, and volunteers. Your belief in our mission helps us bring joy and meaning to every school holiday — and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Together, we are growing green minds and bright futures, one workshop at a time.
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Themba's journey with Eco Children began long before he joined our team. In 2007, he was just a young boy attending our holiday workshops hosted at Klaserie Private Nature Reserve’s headquarters. Even then, his curiosity and passion for nature stood out. Little did we know at the time that the young boy seated under the marula tree, learning about ecosystems and animal tracks, would one day become one of our most dedicated team members. Over the years, Themba remained closely connected to Eco Children. As he grew, so did his sense of responsibility and love for his community. He returned to us — not as a learner, but as a volunteer. For several years, Themba gave his time and energy to support our educational initiatives, always willing to lend a hand and share his growing knowledge with the next generation of learners. Eventually, his consistent commitment, vibrant spirit, and leadership qualities earned him a well-deserved place on the team. Themba was officially hired as an Environmental Educator, a role in which he continues to thrive today. Every day, Themba inspires young minds the way he was once inspired — guiding learners through environmental lessons, encouraging them to dream big, and showing them that they too can create change. His work goes far beyond the classroom. Themba is a mentor, a role model, and a living example of how investing in young people and education truly creates a ripple effect. This month, we honour not just the incredible work Themba does today, but the entire arc of his story. From a young boy in our workshops to a powerful force for good in our team and community — Themba represents everything we stand for.
The 4th edition of Walking Wild 4 Girls took place from the 6th to the 10th of July 2025, in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, and yet again it was another adventure filled with plenty of walking, learning and laughing. What made this year special, was the people with whom I shared the journey with: Gary Freeman, who hosted us at his camp and lead the trails, Percy, for whom I raise funds for, Mark, my brother and my Dad, Derek, Tas Savage and Nats Howes from Kateka Safari & Wellness, who have supported this initiative right from the very beginning, and my aunt, Debby, came out from the UK to join us for our time in the bush. This year was slightly different. We walked in the mornings, then would return to camp for an incredibly satisfying lunch, prepared by Gary himself, and then after a little nap we headed out into the bush at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon for another walk and sundowners.
At Eco Children, we believe in the power of passionate individuals to plant seeds of change — in our environment, in our classrooms, and in our communities. That’s why we are proud to shine a spotlight on someone who embodies all those values and more: Patrick Ndlovu, our Employee of the Month for June. Patrick serves as an Environmental Educator at Mahlathi Primary School, where he plays an instrumental role in educating and inspiring the next generation of eco-conscious leaders. With a calm, humble presence and a deep-rooted commitment to environmental awareness, Patrick is more than just a teacher — he is a mentor, a role model, and a steward of positive change.
