- Ammaarah Hendricks, a Grade 7 student from Maitland, organised a beach clean-up at Milnerton Beach, collecting 11 bags of trash despite challenging weather.
- Her initiative, inspired by her recent environmental course, aims to motivate other young people to care for the environment.
- Hendricks hopes to continue these efforts and encourages more youth to get involved in preserving our planet.
A Maitland teen is on a mission to play her part to save the environment and encourages more young people to take an interest in preserving it.
Ammaarah Hendricks recently completed a smart living course hosted by the Two Oceans Aquarium.
The interactive course focuses on the significance of environmental preservation, energy conservation, waste reduction and the responsible use of water resources for future generations.
With the course still fresh in her mind, the Grade 7 learner at St John’s R C Primary School planned a beach clean-up at Milnerton Beach on Sunday 8 September.
“So many people go to the beach, then they just leave their litter there. I would always feel bad when I see this because that will end up in the ocean.”
On Sunday, about 20 people turned up at the beach to help the teen on her mission.
“When we got to the beach, it was overcast and raining, but we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. We all agreed to wait and see if it cleared up. After about 10 minutes, it cleared up and we took on the beach in full force.”
The team managed to fill 11 bags with rubbish.
“We collected from peanut butter jars, shoes, toothpaste and toothbrushes; beer bottles filled with beer. It is sad to see the number of straws and cigarette butts.”
She encourages young people to get involved.
Miriam says she is proud of her daughter.
“I am super proud of her determination and courage. She proved to us that even if you’re young and even if your group is small, you can make a big difference.”
Ammaarah says she hopes to continue this project in the future.
“The day turned out great the team was so happy to be a part of it and asked if we could consider doing it regularly.”
