“It is not easy to live in a community like this… people don’t have food. People are dying because of the gangsterism.”
This is the reality for many families living on the Cape Flats.
Junaid is 12 years old, and he has been part of Earthchild Project since Grade 1. Over the years, he has grown through the programme and today, as part of Eco Warriors, he is learning how to care for the environment in ways that are practical and rooted in his everyday life.
“All the people in the world can’t live without water… You can’t even live without bees.”
Through Eco Warriors, Junaid has developed a deeper understanding of how nature works and why it matters. In his community, he checks for leaking taps, picks up litter, and looks after plants, even when others don’t yet understand the importance of it.
Sometimes, change begins in simple ways. A conversation with a friend. A moment of curiosity. A willingness to question and learn.
Junaid shares how he encourages others to think differently explaining why plants matter, and why caring for the environment is something everyone has a role in.
“Because of everything I learnt at Eco Warriors, I also want to become a facilitator.”
His story reflects the long-term impact of consistent, hands-on learning. When children are given the opportunity to understand the world around them, they begin to take ownership of it.
At Earthchild Project, this is how we grow future ambassadors – young people who learn to care for the planet, and who will go on to teach others to do the same.
