Grootbos Foundation is proud to look back to 9 August 2003, the day that the Green Futures College opened its doors to its very first class of students. Professor Kader Asmal officially opened the college with a snip of the ribbon, and the Grootbos Foundation Board and staff team popped and fizzed with ideas and excitement for the future.
The goal was to establish a foundation that would take a leading role in conservation of the wild fynbos landscape and provide free training and education to the surrounding communities so that they could participate in the conservation process.
Green Futures College was the first vocational training college in Gansbaai launched to deliver the free educational programmes of Grootbos Foundation to Overstrand locals who had very few other education and employment options.
At the time, the beautiful and small town of Gansbaai did not have its own high school so the vision to set up an NPO that used research and education for the purpose of conservation and skills training was extraordinary.
It was no coincidence that National Women’s Day, 9 August, was chosen to mark the opening. It was always in the design and weave of Grootbos Foundation that its programmes use education to uplift those who stand to benefit the most.
Ensuring that 50% of those who access the programmes are female ensures Grootbos Foundation reaches the most deserving people, and focusing on rural and township communities ensures children and families who have the least, receive training and opportunities they could otherwise not afford.
For more information on Grootbos Foundation, and to find out how to get involved with the programmes, contact phil@grootbosfoundation.org or call 028 384 8038.
