The Eden District Municipality: District Air Quality Unit recently embarked on an air quality project, namely the Eden Clean Fire Campaign. The project was identified due to poor air quality in especially the informal settlements, caused by fires used for household purposes such as cooking and heating.
The Peer Educational Project was partially funded by price money that Eden won for the 2013 and 2014 Greenest Town competition, sponsored by the Western Cape Government as well as by the Eden District Municipality.
The Peer Educational Project was first launched in the Klein Karoo in 2014, but was further rolled out in Albertinia and Riversdale. On 28 and 29 September 2015, the project moved to Uniondale in collaboration with the George Municipality. The project entailed the selection of peer educators by the George Municipality’s Environmental Services of which 10 peer educators were recruited.
SA Teacher, was the appointed service provider to educate the peer educators on air pollution, the health effects thereof and how the communities that are largely dependent on fires for household purposes, can reduce the effects of fires on the environment and their health.
The Clean Fire Courses were rolled out over a 2 day period. The course material was compiled by SA Teacher, in collaboration with the Air Quality Unit of Eden District Municipal. The course material included the following:
- What air pollution is;
- The health effects thereof;
- What cause air pollution;
- How you can help reduce air pollution;
- How to make a fire;
- How to make a “cleaner” fire for heating purposes; and
- How to construct a stove from waste material
On day one of the Clean Fire Course, the educational material presented was based on the basics of air pollution and how to effectively communicate and educate other members of their communities. At the end of the 1st day of training, the peer educators were given an opportunity to present on how to communicate and educate others.
Day two involved a practical session whereby the peer educators were requested to make a “clean” fire. They also had to construct a stove made from recyclable material which requires less fuel and in turn reduces smoke emissions. The stoves that were constructed were used by each peer educator to prepare a meal.
At the end of the course, the peer educators were each given a certificate of attendance and a backpack that is fully equipped with all the necessary hardware and educational material to do physical demonstrations to others members of their communities. Each peer educator must educate at least 50 people within a two month period. Through this, 500 people will be reached that would make a significant impact on air quality education and awareness in the Eden district. The peer educator must compile a portfolio of evidence (photos, registers, etc.), which must be submitted online and will be evaluated by Eden and SA Teacher. This is necessary to monitor the progress of the project.
Eden is planning to roll the project out to the rest of the Eden district.
For any further information on the project, please contact Dr Johann Schoeman at jschoeman@edendm.co.za and Mr Douglas Baartman at douglas@edendm.co.za or at telephone number: 044 690006.
