Volunteers plant fruit trees at home for vulnerable children in Thornton

SOS Children’s Village in Thornton received a green boost last week when volunteers from Save the Earth from A to Z (ASEZ) planted fruit trees on the property.

ASEZ, also known as ASEZ WAO, is a young adult workers' volunteer group affiliated with the World Mission Society Church of God. The group planted 131 trees across 13 sites in Cape Town on Sunday, November 16, according to spokesperson Lutho Mayeko.

The tree planting formed part of the international Mother’s Forest campaign, a reforestation project aimed at combating climate change and restoring natural habitats.

“At the Thornton SOS Children’s Village, volunteers planted a selection of fruit-bearing trees to enhance the landscape and create a more nurturing environment for the children. Members worked together to dig planting holes, arrange sapling roots, cover them with soil, and water the new trees,” Mr Mayeko said.

He added that fifteen trees were planted at the site, including grapefruit, almond, orange, and lemon trees.

Phephe Ndlovu, a social worker at the SOS Children’s Village, expressed appreciation for the initiative.

“Through these trees, we will not need to buy some fruit as they are already available. Thank you for choosing us to have your trees planted here on our grounds,” she said.

ASEZ WAO member Desmond Dyasi said the growing green spaces would “improve air quality, support biodiversity, and create a comforting environment for the children.”

More than 66 000 trees have been planted globally through the Mother’s Forest campaign in 25 countries, including the United States, Korea, United Kingdom, Australia, Chile, India, and Kenya, Mr Mayeko said.