By Candice Segal, national coordinator for Roots & Shoots South Africa.

Roots & Shoots was developed by Dr. Jane Goodall to educate and inspire global youth about three main principles: care of the land, animals and people. In September, Roots & Shoots groups around South Africa celebrated International Peace Day by creating peace symbols such as giant peace doves, African art doves and peace pinwheels. Roots & Shoots Wits also launched their Amazing Green Race campaign, where students at Wits University signed up for a three week campaign to reduce their carbon footprint. In October caretakers from the Diepkloof crèche, accompanied by Denis Creighton and myself, spent the day shopping for clothes at Mr. Price for the 61 children thanks to a generous donation from the RedCap Foundation. Most recently Roots & Shoots South Africa and KDR Sports and Travel sponsored a two-day trip for 20 Roots & Shoots Soweto members to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve in the North West province. Youth from Kliptown and Lehae in Soweto learnt about many animal species and also got to know one another better and learn about Roots & Shoots.

For more information about Roots & Shoots South Africa and how you can be involved please contact candice@rootsandshoots.org.za or visit http://www.rootsandshoots.org.za