1. Introduction

Ekhukhanyisweni Primary School is situated in the previously disadvantaged area of Alexandra Township. The school accommodates approximately 1085 learners from the immediate area which is one of extremely low income. The school started off as a prefabricated, asbestos structure which was demolished and rebuilt as part of the Alexandra Renewal Project. The school has registered for the Eco- Schools programme for 2008, and since then have completed several environmental projects with an amazing amount of commitment and enthusiasm.

2. Why Earthworms?

The community around the school experiences dramatic health related problems due to the unsanitary disposal of food waste

If we have earthworms they can eat the food waste instead of it being dumped in the street. This will in turn improve the health of the community, vital to the economic growth of the area.

The school has a vegetable garden but cannot afford to buy compost to keep the soil healthy and fertile

The worm castings from the worm farms make an excellent fertilizer for plants without the school having to pay for it. Even the worm “wee” can be used as a fertilizer spray.

Earthworms provide an amazing amount of curriculum linked learning opportunities

The children at the school will be able to touch and see the earthworms in action as well as learn about their ecological role in the environment. Not only this, but they can use the worms in their Math class by weighing the food the worms get and drawing graphs relating to the growth and reproduction of the worms.

Earthworms reduce the amount of organic waste that goes to landfill sites

If the worms eat the organic waste then there is less need for large landfill sites that are unhealthy and an absolute disaster for groundwater and the health of surrounding communities

Something to care for…

Many of these children won’t have the opportunity to look after a pet as they require money to be spent on feeding them. The worms offer the opportunity for young children to develop a sense of responsibility for living things.

3. How do we go about such a project at the school?

First we hold a workshop:

This workshop lasts many hours and we explore all aspects of the management of an earthworm farm from their role in the ecosystem to harvesting that lovely fertilizer. The workshop is practical so lots of getting into contact with earthworms and their homes. This workshop will also focus on the curriculum opportunities offered by the earthworm farms.

And then…

We take all the worm boxes to the school and place them in the classrooms. Here the fun starts, with each of the classes bringing food for their worms, watching them grow and looking after them.

4. Conclusion

Previous experience has shown us that projects such as these have a profound impact on learners and educators alike. We would like you to help us to assist the schools in improving their own situation for the health of the environment and the community.