20 000 Pretoria pupils have benefited from our tree project

A milestone was reached this week when philanthropist Charl du Toit, handed over the 20 000th tree to a school in Pretoria as part of the Save our Planet – Plant a Tree project. The occasion marked the continuing tree sponsorship to pupils in the Pretoria area.

Since the launch of the Save our Planet – Plant a Tree project a year ago Charl, CEO of The Success Academy, has visited 13 schools and given away 21 840 trees. Every child receives his/her own tree, beautifully wrapped and ready for planting. The trees have all been growing at the Willow Feather Farm for two years which is the optimal time needed to ensure the tree’s chances of survival after being planted.

The most recent tree ceremony was held at the Laer-and Hoërskool Garsfontein when 3 780 pupils waited in anticipation to receive their trees. During his speech, Charl spoke about the importance of building relationship with their trees. He always manages to raise a laugh when he tells them to name their trees and talk to them. “They will listen and become your friend for life,” he said.

The inspiration behind the Save our Planet – Plant a Tree project was sparked when Charl, who is passionate about trees and the environment, wanted to do something tangible and positive about saving the plant.

“I felt it was important to set in motion a process that would leave a lasting legacy while at the same time educate the pupils of the importance of greening the environment. A year down the line I am delighted at the enthusiastic response from the children and support from the schools particularly as all the trees are at no cost to the school and donated by The Success Academy,” he says.

But the challenge is ongoing and a never-ending journey. Charl has pledged to donate 150 000 trees to pupils over the next five years. With the milestone of 20 000 being reached he is well on the way to achieving this. “We still have a way to go but we are on track,” he says.

Hours of planning goes into preparing the trees for distribution. The 15 member team at Willow Feather Farm team spend three full days pulling the stock from the nursery and wrapping them. Once loaded onto the trucks they do multiple trips to and from the nursery to the school. “It’s highly labour intensive, but we have got it down to a fine art now. By example if one person had to gift 3 780 trees, it would take a month and half to complete the task,” says Barry Geyer, MD of Willow Feather Farm.

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