By Lebohang Tsiu, SCOUTS SA Youth Influencer

Scouting members have been stepping up to ‘Give an Hour for Earth’. In the Free State Scout Region our young people showed us just how powerful one hour can be.

Scouts from the 1st and 2nd LK Scout Groups in Bethlehem, in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, chose to give an hour to serve their community. They rolled up their sleeves to clean up a local dumping site and a local school. But their efforts didn’t stop there. The Scouts also spent time helping community members cleaning the yard and assisting with feeding chickens. These simple hands-on activities show how Scouting empowers young people to take responsibility for their environment and make a difference as they can and where it matters most. #sdg11

At the same time, Rovers from Thabo Mofutsanyana and the University of the Free State (UFS) took a different approach to their ‘Hour for Earth’. They headed out on a hike in the Royal Natal area in Bergville, taking care of their mental well-being, while exploring and enjoying the beauty of the area. While crossing streams, taking selfies at a waterfall, and learning about the biodiversity around them, they used their time to reconnect with nature. #sdg3 #sdg13.

Even though the Scouts and Rovers chose different ways to make their hour count, together they demonstrated that even a single hour, when used with purpose, can contribute to a better, more sustainable world.