Welcoming Our YES 4 Youth Interns to the Eco Children Family
May 21, 2025
Exciting news!
We’re excited to welcome fifteen new interns to the Eco Children family through the YES 4 Youth Initiative, in partnership with Wild Impact and facilitated by the Timbavati Foundation. This national movement is dedicated to empowering unemployed youth across South Africa by providing them with valuable and meaningful work experiences.
The YES (Youth Employment Service) program is a government-backed initiative that connects young South Africans with 12-month work experiences in various sectors. It’s more than just a job placement—it’s a chance for youth to gain valuable skills, earn an income, and take an important step toward building a successful and sustainable career.
At Eco Children, we are proud to partner with YES in tackling the growing challenge of youth unemployment. By providing these young individuals with a platform to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully, we are not only investing in their futures but also strengthening our mission of education, empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
Over the next year, our interns will be actively involved in a variety of meaningful activities, including:
- Providing classroom support to enhance learning experiences for young learners, and assisting our Environmental Educators.
- Assisting with Eco Village operations, contributing to the smooth running of our outdoor educational spaces.
- Participating in staff workshops and training sessions to build their own skills and professional development.
- Helping with daily maintenance and organization to ensure a well-ordered, productive environment for all.
We are confident that their fresh energy, creativity, and passion will bring new perspectives and added value to everything we do.
To our new interns: Welcome to the Eco Children family! We are excited to walk this journey with you, to support your growth, and to watch you thrive. Your presence here is a powerful reminder that with the right opportunity, the youth of South Africa can shape a brighter, more sustainable future.
Stay tuned as we share updates, stories, and highlights from their journey throughout the year!
"The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow."
— Kofi Annan
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But here at Eco Children, this isn’t just a one-day event—it’s at the heart of everything we do, every single day. Rooted in the rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, Eco Children is on a mission to nurture not only the land, but the minds and hearts of the next generation. And this World Environment Day, we’re proud to spotlight the work that is transforming lives, landscapes, and learning. At Eco Children, we believe that real change starts young. Our approach to environmental education goes far beyond the classroom. Our keyhole gardens are a symbol of sustainable living. These small, productive gardens use minimal water, are easy to maintain, and allow children to grow their own vegetables. They're more than a food source—they're outdoor classrooms where learners discover composting, soil health, food cycles, and the value of self-reliance. Environmental themes are integrated across the curriculum. Whether it’s science, geography, or reading, students learn how climate change, biodiversity, and conservation affect their own communities. The goal isn’t just to teach them about nature—it’s to help them fall in love with it. We also promote eco-literacy through school libraries, filled with books that spark curiosity about the world. Thanks to our literacy programmes, children gain the reading and research skills they need to understand and respond to environmental challenges. This transformative work is only possible because of our generous donor, The Legacy Experience Foundation. Their unwavering support empowers us to build stronger schools, train dedicated teachers, and develop community-centred education that honours both people and planet. This World Environment Day, we recommit to a future where every child has the knowledge, resources, and passion to care for the Earth. Together—with you, our educators, our communities, and the continued support of our donors—we’re planting the roots of a brighter, greener tomorrow. Thank you for being part of this journey.
This May, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on someone whose story perfectly embodies our values of dedication, growth, and community impact — Rumi Malope, our Employee of the Month. Rumi’s journey with Eco Children began in 2018 when she joined us as a volunteer in our Eco Village. Even then, her passion for education and the environment stood out. Year after year, she showed up with unwavering commitment, eager to learn, lead, and uplift those around her. In 2024, all her hard work paid off when she was officially offered a permanent position on our team. Today, she serves at Mapalane Primary School, where she continues to make a difference every single day. Her warmth, reliability, and can-do spirit have not only earned her this month’s recognition, but also the admiration and respect of her colleagues and community. Rumi was announced as Employee of the Month at our recent staff workshop — a moment that reflected her journey of perseverance and purpose. As her name was called, the room filled with cheers and applause, a testament to the positive energy and inspiration she brings to our team every day. In her role at Mapalane Primary School, Rumi leads environmental education initiatives, supports learners in their academic growth, and serves as a role model for young people in the community. She is deeply involved in creating hands-on learning experiences, helping learners understand the value of sustainability, conservation, and self-empowerment. Her colleagues often speak of her infectious optimism, her patience with learners, and her tireless work ethic. Rumi doesn’t just do her job — she brings heart into everything she touches. Whether she’s planting a garden, facilitating a workshop, or mentoring a fellow educator, Rumi does it with purpose and pride. Her story reminds us that real change starts with people — those who are willing to show up, do the work, and lift others along the way. We’re honoured to have Rumi as part of the Eco Children family and excited to see her grow even further in the years to come.
At Eco Children, we are committed to nurturing young minds, not just with knowledge, but with experiences that awaken purpose. One of the most impactful ways we do this is through our Kruger National Park trips—a cornerstone of our environmental education program. These trips aren’t just about seeing animals. They are about unlocking new perspectives, inspiring dreams, and building connections to nature that last a lifetime. Imagine being a child who’s grown up just kilometers away from one of the world’s most renowned game reserves, yet you’ve never set foot inside. This is the reality for many of the learners we support. When they enter the park for the first time, their faces light up with awe. The moment they see a giraffe gracefully crossing the road or hear a lion’s distant roar—something changes. They’re no longer just hearing about wildlife. They’re experiencing it. They’re forming personal memories with the landscape that shapes our country’s identity. These moments are profound—and often life-changing. Our Kruger trips are designed to complement our in-class environmental curriculum. But in the park, the lessons come alive. Guided by Eco Children mentors, the learners take part in talks about: • Ecosystem dynamics – how plants, animals, and people all play a role in nature’s balance. • Conservation challenges – including poaching, climate change, and habitat loss. • Sustainable practices – and how they can make a difference at home and in their communities. These discussions aren’t abstract. They’re grounded in what the learners are seeing, hearing, and feeling. It’s hands-on education at its best. Beyond the educational value, these trips give learners a sense of belonging and self-worth. They see themselves as part of something bigger—as stewards of a heritage that is theirs to protect. For many, these outings are also their first opportunity to travel, to eat in a group outside of school, or to speak in front of others during group reflections. It builds confidence. It builds friendships. It builds dreams. Thank You to The Legacy Experience Foundation. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. This year, our first Kruger trip was made a reality through the support of The Legacy Experience Foundation, whose belief in environmental education mirrors our own. Their contribution ensured that transportation, meals, activities, and learning materials were all covered—removing barriers and allowing learners to simply immerse themselves in the experience. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and vision. What starts as a day trip often becomes the beginning of a lifelong passion. The ripple effect is real—and it starts with a single day in the bush. As we continue this year’s Kruger Trip series, we invite you to follow along. These are more than excursions—they are acts of empowerment. And with every child who into Kruger for the first time, we are investing in a more sustainable, compassionate future for South Africa.
