A total of 100 young adult volunteers from ASEZ WAO planted 200 indigenous trees on the grounds of Karl Bremer Hospital in Cape Town on Freedom Day, 27 April – an event that also coincided with the hospital’s 70th anniversary.

The initiative formed part of ASEZ WAO’s global climate action campaign, the Mother’s Forest Project, which seeks to protect the earth by establishing trees as natural carbon sinks in communities around the world.

Beginning at 10:00, approximately 100 participants – comprising ASEZ WAO members and members of the public – donned green and yellow vests and set to work digging, planting saplings, covering roots with soil and watering the young trees.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment supported the activity by supplying the saplings and encouraging the volunteers throughout the day.

An ASEZ WAO official said: “Tree planting is a practical way to improve air quality and respond to climate change. Our members participated with the hope of helping local residents live in a more pleasant environment. We will continue to carry out activities together with the local community.”

Clearing the way for indigenous growth

The mission extended beyond planting new life. Volunteers worked alongside the planting effort to uproot alien invasive trees – water-hungry species that compete with indigenous vegetation and deprive young saplings of the local water supply. Over approximately three hours of coordinated effort, 200 saplings were successfully established in a cleared, competitive-free environment.

READ ALSO: Karl Bremer Hospital celebrates 70 years

Roger Cannon, ward councillor, visited the site and commended the volunteers: “These trees will quietly work to care for the environment by producing oxygen, reducing pollution and creating a calmer space for everyone. Planting a tree is not just putting something in the ground – it is an investment in the future.”

Mr Basson, facility manager of Karl Bremer Hospital, praised the young volunteers, adding: “This initiative coincides with the 70th anniversary of Karl Bremer Hospital. You are leaving a legacy for our future generations to come.”

Participant Lesedi Mokgautsi (29) reflected on the significance of the day: “Today, I was enlightened to the fact that what we are doing today is to leave a legacy.” Fellow volunteer Christopher Andrew Herbert (33) looked to the future with optimism: “This barren land will soon become a beautiful forest.”

This event is not an isolated effort. ASEZ WAO has conducted tree-planting drives, environmental campaigns and clean-up activities across the country, including in the Bellville Central Business District in Cape Town, Pennyville Park in Johannesburg and Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Tshwane. The organisation has also supported landscaping maintenance at the Orlando Police Station in Johannesburg and delivered refreshments to medical staff at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. These contributions have earned ASEZ WAO commendations from the Gauteng Department of Health and the City of Cape Town.

Internationally, the Mother’s Forest Project has been carried out in the United States, Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Chile and India.

About ASEZ WAO

ASEZ WAO is the young adult worker volunteer group of the World Mission Society Church of God (asezwao.org). The name stands for “Save the earth from A to Z, We Are One Family.” The organisation conducts campaigns for the earth – including responding to climate change, reducing plastic use and protecting ecosystems – as well as campaigns for humanity, encompassing welfare promotion, emergency relief, educational support and cultural exchange. To date, ASEZ WAO has received over 700 awards, including the US Presidential Volunteer Service Award, a commendation from the Speaker of the Peruvian Congress, and the Green Apple and Green World Awards.

The World Mission Society Church of God, the foundation of ASEZ WAO, operates in approximately 7 800 regions across 175 countries, with 4 000 000 members worldwide. The Church has carried out over 47 000 social contribution activities and received more than 5 800 awards from governments and institutions around the world.