#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

HOW GREAT I AM- OUR DEEPEST FEAR

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Playing small does not serve the world, there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.. as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same as we are liberated from our own fears. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

Live life to the fullest.

Organic vs. conventional

Conventional	Organic
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth.	Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray synthetic insecticides to reduce pests and disease.	Spray pesticides from natural sources; use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use synthetic herbicides to manage weeds.	Use environmentally-generated plant-killing compounds; rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth.	Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.

Pink Trees for Pauline- Breast cancer awareness initiative

With the tag line "Wrapped in colour. United in Hope" towns in the Western Cape have certainly come to the party in showing their support of Breast cancer awareness. Pink Trees for Pauline is a campaign in it's second year after founders Carol-ann van Jaarsveld, together with Adri van Nieuwenhuizen - a breast cancer survivor and Dr Pam Kerr, an Educational Psycologist – thought up the idea early in 2012. 

Towns around SA purchase bright pink material from the organisation at a minimum cost of R20.
Businesses or individuals also have the option of sponsoring material to be used in less privileged areas as well as public spaces in order to make sure that entire communities can be involved – not just those with the means. There’s no limit to the amount of material you can buy or the amount you’d like to sponsor.

"Carol-ann lost both her mother and grandmother to cancer. Not insignificantly, both of these women were named “Pauline”… and that’s the crux. Cancer is so prevalent in our society that it’s not even a stretch of the imagination to say, that each of us knows, or is connected to, our own “Pauline”. For this reason, what Pink Trees for Pauline does is significantly crucial. Not just for those who’s lives are bettered by funds raised, nor those who choose to participate through donation and active involvement – but for every one of us. That is to say, it’s not just a fund raising initiative but a visual statement on a grand scale, a united front against an unseen enemy and a beautiful sight to behold."

For more information about Pink Trees for Pauline you can visit pinktrees.co.za or contact Adri at adri@pt4pauline.co.za 

George wins the most Eco-Friendly City in SA

"It is official. George Municipality is the most environmentally friendly local authority in the country after taking the laurels at the Eco-Logic Awards in the division for municipalities." George Herald

One of five finalists, the others being Cape Town, eThekwini, Ekurhuleni and Mossel Bay, the city of George was awarded to top position at the Eco-Logic awards last week in the Cradle of Humankind.

Having lived in 3 of the other finalist cities, it comes at no surprise that the humble town I currently call home is greener than all the rest. There are collaborated efforts from farmers, students and residents of the town to do each ones bit in maintaining an eco-friendly environment as well as spreading awareness of ecological trends and sustainability.
From the unique flora and fauna that is well protected, the efforts to recycle and the leadership efforts in creating a president of conserving our unique natural surrounds, George has really come to the table and held it's own.

These efforts however need to be continued, mantained and improved continuously if we hope to hold onto this title and preserve the green status of our city.

Go George!

The pain a woman feels is temporary, the strength she has is eternal.

Being a part of the Miss Garden Route and Klein Karoo 2013 has exposed me in a raw, up front manner to something we are all too well acquainted with in South Africa; high levels of abuse of woman and children. This being the major theme of the week we have spent in Mossel bay with the finalists and sponsors I decided to do some research: I wanted to dissect the idea of abuse, know the demographics and delve into the statistics and psychology behind abusers and victims, and my findings were shocking and unexpected to say the least. Reason being not because I learnt how prevalent gender specific abuse is, we know that 1 in every 4 woman in South Africa are survivors of domestic abuse. Not because I learnt the negative affects and emotional and physical consequences that abuse has on woman and children, we know this too.. but because I learnt more about myself, my purpose and my personal role as a woman within our gender and the responsibilities I have to speak out on behalf of those affected by these horiffic acts on a daily basis. By looking into and thinking critically about the motivation, actions and the effects of battering of women and children, I realised that many girls, wives, daughters, sisters succumb to abuse in any of it's 6 forms on a daily basis in varying intensities, without even realising it. I learnt that if women as a collective do not respect each other, encourage and support one another, how can we create a society that does not accept abuse, even in the slightest? Whether you are experiencing abuse or not, we, me included, have a responsibility to one another to spread the word to every inch of this world that we will not back down, we will not accept pain or mistreatment and we will support our fellow woman until woman are treated as they should be.
We, myself included, have the responsibility to treat each other with utmost kindness, if we do not, how do we expect reform? As sisters, wives, mothers, daughters and leaders of a new world standard, we as woman need to stand up, together and say no to abuse. A collective "no". A "no" that is as powerful as the hurtful words or fist of any man or woman. A "no" that will end the abuse of women and children for all times.