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.

A 4 year old's photography

On Wednesday the 25th of September myself and the other finalist of Miss Garden Route and Klein Karoo had the humbling experience of visiting the CEF (Creating Effective Families) center for abused and battered women and children in Mossel bay. One of the children staying at the shelter, a 4 year old named Victor, stole our hearts with his dance moves and witty chirps. When Victor got hold of my iphone, he blossomed into a wise photgrapher directing and snapping away at every turn. Below are the results of a 4 year old's photographic session, most of which happened to be selfies

Have you ever wondered why children love to look at pictures of themselves? It is a wonderful thing, not knowing the pressures and expectations of the world all of which mean nothing really. We as adults should aspire to be just as bold as our junior counterparts who know no boundries and limitations.

Totally random: Did you know?

The Rock Hyrax found in South and East Africa's closest related organism is........ The Elephant!

http://www.arkinspace.com/2012/02/hyrax-elephants-cousin.html

Miss Garden Route & Klein Karoo 2013

After 9 years of visiting the Garden Route on a frequent basis it is hard to deny that it's old school charm and juxstaposed worldly beauty stole my heart. Even so, moving here on a permanent basis was not what I expected and would not have been in my life plan if you had asked me of it a year ago. However, on a whim and as if fate intended, late in January 2013 I found myself, my car and belongings packed up with all roads heading down the usual road toward Eden, only this time, for a great deal longer than usual. The move, like the many others I have experienced in my 21 years was not without challenge and still is not an easy road to be on, but it has been a worthwhile one indeed.  A small town girl at heart with big city ambition, my number one goal this year has been to amalgamate what I know of both worlds into a model that works for the good of both myself and those around me. I have given much when I have had little and I have too had to ask for help and support on many occasions. The warmth of people in this this part of the world is rivalled by few and if I did not know it before, I truly have learned the value of love and kidness in the world thanks to the smiles, acceptance and willingness of people to give of themselves to help others.

Although the Garden Route faces many challenges and ongoing battles, there is a treasure in this place worth more than diamonds and gold and I believe that if people continue to show the world of this beauty, we will have an oasis to always come home to. I hope that my experiences and growth this year aids me in understanding what a good representitive of the region should be, and what the needs, plights and joys of it's people are. I am honoured to be a finalist in Miss Garden Route & Klein Karoo 2013 and I hope that I can complete the circle and in doing so extend my community work and involvement with the backing of the gracious sponsors of the competition.

Miss Garden Route & Klein Karoo Gala event
Bravo Lounge, Garden Route Casino
Mossel Bay

20:00
R180-00 pp 

Clothing and non-perishable collections in George, Eden District

We are still collecting clothing, toiletries and non-perishables in the Eden district.

Thank you yo Demi Viljoen who donated two big bags of clothing and other items and to NMMU Saasveld SRC for pledging their collection of items for distribution to the George Child and Family welfare and other homes and shelters in need.

I am continuing to collect and distribute on an ongoing basis and all donations will find a good home.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on danicka_morningstar@yahoo.com if you would like to donate!

A prayer for Kenya

In the light of the horrific terroristic attacks at the Westgate Mall in Kenya, a prayer of strength goes out to the families and friends of those lives lost in the attack. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." . But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Philippians 4:6-8

Miracles through Equine Therapy

A few years ago I had the privilege of being able to assist at SARDA(South African Riding for the Disabled Association) Highveld, while living in Westrand, Gauteng. The organisation provides therapeutic horse riding lessons for disables and terminally ill children. The positive affects of the therapy were tangible and easily seen by all of the volunteers over the time that we offered to the organisation, and years later, I am entirely in support of therapy through equine arts.

After moving to the Garden Route I had therapeutic riding on my heart for many months, trying to figure out where and how I can offer this miracle to children in the area that could benefit from it. That is how I found Rainbow Riders, a group of passionate volunteers using limited resources and offering of their time on Tuesday's and Wednesday's to heal children with therapeutic horse rides.

I am so excited to get involved with Rainbow Riders and the selfless work they are doing in the George, Eden area. Follow the link to their Facebook page below for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rainbow-Riders/286908697998226

Meat Free Mondays: Can you do it?

http://www.paulmccartney.com/news-blogs/news/27465-meat-free-monday-check-out-the-new-website

A picture says a thousand words

A BIT ABOUT ME. . .

Who am I, why did I enter Miss Earth South Africa and what do I hope to achieve from the programme?

I've had an interesting life to say the least, i've seen many places and i'd like to think i've learned a great deal along the way. Growing up in Swaziland I was privilledged to have a world of natural experiences on my doorstep. From learning to ride a horse at age three, catching, naming and releasing crabs out of the back yard stream at age four, to climbing the guava trees at age five, I lived in nature and with it. Saving injured birds became a household hobby, running away from Black Mamba snacks, a regular thing. Life on a tropical farm in a wild country was a daily adventure.

At two weeks old I was wrapped in a mosquito net and taken on my first of many to come weekend in the Kruger National Park. Our home away from home. Little did I know at two weeks old that the trips we took in our formative years would affect mine and my siblings adult lives. Many years later, woking as volunteers at the Rhino and Lion reserve rearing orphaned cubs,  my sister going on to complete her University thesis on the Big Cats of the Eastern Cape and me recently taking a trip to Hoedspruit to dart and vet injured Rhino. At the time, rhino poaching had reached the acceleration that it is now in and having the opportunity to learn and have a hands on experience with these incredible creatures was a blessing.

At the age of ten I moved to Johannesburg, South Africa and attended Maragon Private School where I was honoured with being the 2009 Headgirl and recieving many awards for academics, culture and sporting achievements. While in Maragon I was a founding member of a green initiative called the Green Light Project that ecouraged and initiated recycling in school. I went on to study a Bsc Biological Sciences first year at the University of Pretoria, thereafter competing as a finalist in Miss South Africa 2010 and studying a Diploma in Business management while working in marketing at Leaf International Communications. I have currenlty changed to a Bcom degree in Economics at NMMU Saasveld, a foresty campus in George in the Western Cape.

Since 2010 I have travelled internationally on a regular basis, as well as done various modelling jobs in Europe. Travelling, languages and learning about new cultures is a passion of mine and I challenge myself to experience all that I can. On a recent trip to Kentucky I was awarded with an Honorary Colonelship acknowledging partners from all around the world striving for unitedness and conscious living.

My Miss Earth journey thus far has been challenging and eye-opening. Having grown up watching and assisting my sister in her efforts in planting vegetable gardens and collecting non-perishables for an informal settlement in the West of Johannesburg called Video Center, I learned that becoming involved in your community is an essential social responsibility. Having the ability to drive change is a blessing and honour and should not be taken for granted but used to create positive, lasting, sustainable affects.

I encourage brand conciousness and carbon neautrality, active community participation and strive toward sustainable living.

Danicka Riehl

Partners of a green journey

A question to a green corporate...

Question everything. A rule that I live by, not out of skeptisism but in a search for deeper answers, new information and further challenges of thought. If you know of  a corporate, company or organisation actively involved in greening our planet, why not challenge them with this question...

>How is you company's environmentally friendly stance accepted by employees and do they all fully understand the benefits and positive impact that working in a conscious company has on the environment? Is this awareness is taken home to their families and communities, how do you encourage this flow of information and if you do not, would this be something that you would be willing to invest in in the future?

TREES: THE LUNGS OF THE EARTH

Upcoming projects...

*George Child and Family Welfare non-perishables distribution (June/July)


*21For21 tree plantings continued






For more information and to keep up to date on projects and initiatives follow the @missearth_sa and @danickariehl twitter handles or contact me directly to get involved danicka_morningstar@yahoo.com

George Child and Family Welfare

George Child and Family Welfare (GCFW) is an organisation in the Garden Route that has been serving the community of George since 1926. Over the years they have been a lifeline for thousands of children and their families.

Thanks to their gracious Patron, Mrs Plattner, many great things have happened since their establishment. GCFW continues to grow and expand carrying out work in various communities. The patrons along with many sponsors, volunteers and donors are having a direct impact on many lives in the poorest communities. GCFW cares for 5 creches in and around George as well as many other schools, homes and care establishments.

I commend The George Child and Family welfare for the continued good work that they do and thank them for guiding my hand to schools within our community most in need of

tree planting initiatives and non-perishable item distributions that will be happening in the near future.

Better kids for a better planet!

People always talk about leaving a better planet for our kids, but what about leaving better kids for our planet?

People always talk about leaving a better planet for our kids, but what about leaving better kids for our planet?

There is absolutely no debate when in comes to what came first, the unhealthy state of the environment or the human race who now live in a lesser quality biosphere.

Our Earth was made perfect. Perfect n all it's glory, strength and mite. Balanced and dynamic in just the right way to survive and nourish the needs of it's occupants. But with over 7 billion inhabitants, many of which often live in delicate situations and give in to push factors like crime and pull factors like city employment and the result is a high volume of people finding themselves living in small areas of economically rich land. The tendency is to then rid these areas of their natural resources and in doing so, strangle the environment. Being a breed of survivors, hunters and gatherers we extend out horizons and continue to use and exploit the next available thing on a continual basis.

Why do we do this? As much as the animal instinct to attain is alive in us, human beings are protectors and nurtures too but it seems that there has been a generational gap where this love has not been awakened in many people.

Hoping for a good, yielding planet for our kids is not enough. We need our kids to want a better world to live in and frankly, our world needs a future generation of better kids living in it if there is hope of returning it to it's glory.

Are your ducks in a row?

Barking Mad: How are positive social results are achieved through community buy in.?

This is a question that I have out much thought into over the past few months as I have been challenged through new schools of thought and the debate between personal gain and social responsibility. As is often the case I have found most of my answers to these questions in the most unlikely of places, the Garden Route SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

How did I find answers to such weighted questions at a simple animal shelter? By realising and applying a mind set that the workings of any ideal are in fact built upon the same, basic principles. A goal, a vision, a good reason and I emphasise good, and a thorough plan of action that will result in the desired effects thought up in steps one and two, vision and mission. My explanation of good being that of which the results will create a positive social outcome that outways the negatives. Good is not always easy, but good is right.

The Garden Route SPCA is a GOOD place, and for an animal shelter to run as effectively as this one does, there has to be a sustainable level of social buy in. Whether you visit the local mall on a Tuesday or the famous weekend farmers markets on Saturdays, all Georgians are acustomed to see familiar and new faces supporting our fury friends and it works! A visit to the Garden Route SPCA presently surprises you with views of mostly empty cages, trimmed lawns and many a proverbial happy pig in poop, as well as an actual one!

When social buy in occurs on a sustainable level, there are positive, lasting effects.
The patrons and of the Garden Route SPCA believe in and support our SPCA that such a negative thing, the abuse of and homelessness of animals has become a social example to many people of how easily good work is done. As human beings we are a breed inclined to growth, expansion and advancement and if a small, sleepy town can buy into the welfare of it's animals why can we not, as a country unite and buy into the interests of many a cause as one united sustainable engine of change and reform!.

Make an effort to visit your local SPCA, you may just leave feeling a little inspired!

Teaching the ground staff at Lawaaikamp Creche in the Eden District the right way to plant indigenous trees

Green dreams

http://www.georgeherald.com/news.aspx?id=51022&h=Students-dream-of-21-trees-for-21st

http://www.georgeherald.com/news.aspx?id=53011&h=Tree-dream-for-21st-may-grow

Advice from a tree

Leaf and leave

How not to plant a tree

There is only one right way to plant a tree and yet there is an exponential amount of wrong ways to plant a tree. If you get it into the ground, in one piece, standing upright ie. roots down, leaves above, you know that you have done something right.. right? But how right?

Planting a tree and taking the necessary steps to ensure it's growth and development is in many ways a similar to the incubation of a virtuous breed of people. Growth and new life is an inevitable part of the cycle of life. For both the homo sapien species and our leafy friends, starting from the ground up is a prerequisite. The roots of any great tree to be is the foundation upon which all else relies. Get things wrong at this level and we'll be deep (excuse the pun) in turmoil. Strong roots are developed through correct placement and selective nourishment.

Just as we plant a tree in ground that is solid but forgiving, our lives should be based on ideals that hold true to honour and virtue but allow for forward thinking, unrestricted growth and Independence. Like the synapses in the human brain, each fibrous root ending represents a single link in a chain of functions that extend outward and result in both tangible and intangible changes in our physical world and external environment.

What we feed our human souls moulds and impels the extent of the role which we will play in our immediate and ultimately global community and environment. Violence, spite, jealousy, greed and corruption makes for many rotten trees in our metaphorical yard and rot is often a contagious infliction. Unfortunately in the world of today, these bugs have bitten many a man. Despite this, all hope is not lost. Just as trees are self regulating, cleansing entities, the heart of good men and woman are too. Men and woman who's roots are deeply layed in the rich soils of education, good leadership and philanthropy have the ability to change the dire state of our ailing world. Just as a tree breathes in the bad, makes work of it and exhales life blood: uniquely positioned people of green being have the ability to make a difference and stand tall as ambassadors of growth and goodness. Cultivating a breed of people and collection of communities based on love, respect for our natural world and communality will result in a blossoming of growth and possibility is all branches of life.

The fruits of these labours may be hard earned in times of hardship, drought or flood but with roots dug deep, the trees of change will continue to stand tall, produce change and encourage a world where people and trees are not so different, but rather uniquely the same and equally important.