The Lions Club of Tokai brought environmental stewardship to life through their Bag-A-Burger clean-up initiative, held at the scenic Soet-water Environmental Centre.
As part of Lions International’s Environment Service Pillar, the initiative combined environmental education, community upliftment and outdoor adventure all centred on the importance of caring for the planet.
The event was hosted in collaboration with the Soetwater Environmental Centre and drew the participation of 51 children from the Masiphumelele informal settlement in Fish Hoek.
Accompanied by Lions Club members and facilitators from the centre, the children spent the morning actively engaged in a large-scale beach clean-up, collecting bags of litter while learning first-hand about the detrimental effects of pollution on marine and coastal ecosystems.
Mark Roussouw, spokesperson for the Lions Club of Tokai, described the project as more than just a clean-up.
“This was a meaningful opportunity to plant the seeds of environmental responsibility in the next generation,” he said.
“Children are incredibly receptive to learning about nature. By combining education with hands-on action, we’re not only cleaning up our local environment , we’re empowering young people to be active stewards of it.” The day’s programme didn’t end with the clean-up.
The children also took part in bird identification activities, explored a fascinating reptile and snake show and enthusiastically tackled an outdoor obstacle course designed to build confidence and teamwork.
Each child received breakfast at the start of the day and was treated to a delicious hamburger for lunch, the reward that inspired the initiative’s catchy name, Bag-A-Burger.
Organisers say the aim was to create a fun, meaningful experience that connected environmental learning with positive reinforcement, leaving the children not only with full stomachs but also with a greater appreciation for nature.
The Lions Club of Tokai extended their heartfelt thanks to the Soetwater Environmental Centre for their partnership, support and shared commitment to environmental education.
“This wasn’t just a clean-up,”
Roussouw added. “It was a celebration of learning, community, and caring for our planet , and we look forward to growing this initiative even further in the future,” he said.
