IN celebration of Arbor Month, Infinity Special Needs Centre a non-profit organisation in Gqeberha, was selected by the regional Eskom environmental department as one of the beneficiaries of the state utility’s tree planting programme.
As a beneficiary, Infinity Centre received six yellowwood and wild olive trees, on Thursday, September 8. The trees were sponsored by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). This initiative falls in line with the South African government’s 10 Million Tree Programme, which seeks to plant two million trees every year over a period of five years.
The centre, founded in 2018 by Carl Coetzer and Nina Crause, was born out of the need for continued and specialised care for young adults with severe disabilities, who had completed their specialised schooling.
The day began with short speeches by the co-founders and delegates from their respective organisations, with Eskom Uitenhage sector manager, Jacques Cloete, and DFFE director, Gwendoline Sgwabe, both highlighting the need for further collaboration and initiatives in combating the knock-on effects of climate change.
Attendees were then invited to witness the tree-planting ceremony, which was led by DFFE senior forestry development officer, Bongani Finiza. Finiza also encouraged the centre’s young residents to name each of the trees as they were being planted.
The event concluded with Eskom environmental manager, Lindelwa Ntamo, and her team of environmental officers handing out goodie bags to the residents, followed by refreshments donated by Marinda at the Summerstrand Sasol garage.
“Infinity is grateful and humbled to have been chosen as part of this initiative. Trees play a vital role in the environment by providing oxygen and improving air quality, stabilising the soil, and contributing to greater biodiversity within the environment. Our young residents will benefit from all of these factors,” Crause said.
For more info on Infinity Special Needs Centre, visit the organisation’s Facebook page, or contact Nina Crause directly on 072 290 8032.
– ISSUED BY CHANTELLE WHITEHOUSE ON BEHALF OF INFINITY SPECIAL NEEDS CENTRE
