Boksburg residents announced as Miss Earth SA 2014 finalists
Following a demanding and life-altering four months of hard work, dedication and sincere commitment to the environment and the community, the Miss Earth South Africa organisation has announced its finalists for the 2014 title.
Among the top 16 finalists, are Jennifer Williamson and Shannon Roscher from Boksburg.
Being one of the top 16 finalists, Williamson describes as “awesome”.
She says that the top 16 girls are currently in Cape Town for three days, working on a few projects.
“It is much fun,” she adds.
Williamson says that so far, she mostly enjoyed making a vegetable garden for the Zandi’s Angels Orphanage.
“I visited the orphanage the other day and they’re already eating the vegetables – it is very rewarding to see it.”
She also says that the past few months have been hard work, but worth it.
“I’ve been taken out of my comfort zone and I’ve learnt a lot – I’ve increased my confidence,” says Williamson.
Miss Earth South Africa is a leadership programme that aims to empower young South African women, with the knowledge and platform to create a sustainable difference in combating the destruction of our natural heritage.
The programme helps to create an awareness of sustainable development, the environment, wildlife and the conservation of South Africa’s natural legacy, and ultimately, the preservation of Earth.
“My love for the environment spills over into my career and the initiatives that I associate myself with,” says Shannon Roscher, a communications graduate from the North-West University.
“As co-owner and content editor of a newly-launched online magazine called MPSAmag.com, I exercise my voice and passion for all things green.”
Roscher is also the co-founder of the Deskbags eco-friendly initiative.
“Through my Miss Earth South Africa journey, I aim to realise my big green dreams and to make a real and remarkable difference in the lives of others.
“I want to use this platform provided by the programme to share the message to nations that education is the vaccine to poverty and as importantly, I want to implement environmental practices that will literally make the world a better place.”
Roscher’s donations impacted the following organisations and schools:
* Noah Old Age Home
* Abraham Kriel Childcare
* The Salvation Army Benoni Family Centre
*Animal Anti-Cruelty League
* Villa Liza Secondary School
* Primrose Primary School
* Freeway Park Primary School.
Assignments were centred around tree planting, creating sustainable food gardens, several energy- efficiency activations for Grade 4 learners in partnership with Eskom and Carbontrack, and general humanitarian initiatives across South Africa.
As these young South African women needed to display a strong consciousness towards supporting simultaneous social projects, they were tasked with drives for stationery donations, second hand clothing, blankets, non-perishable food and animal food collections.
The young women enthusiastically collected and distributed clothing, reaching over 50 different homes with their donations nationwide.
Each participant went out, planned and implemented a sustainable food garden through sponsorships obtained by them to either assist a school, a home or a community in need.
“The 16 finalists demonstrated clear leadership qualities, entrepreneurial thinking, strength of mind and of character, and most importantly, a passion for making a sustainable difference in their communities,” says executive director of Miss Earth South Africa, Catherine Constantinides.
“The next round of the leadership programme will be even more demanding and will continue requiring backbreaking efforts to inspire and educate individuals, schools, communities, corporate South Africa, and policymakers to consider the environment and the challenges the continent is facing.” – @IschkeBoksburg
