Author: Tertius Murray

The UN website states that “the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity” (https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals).

Although it is the intention of the SDGs to include the creativity, knowhow, technology, and financial resources from all of society in working together towards achieving the goals (compare SDG 17) it is difficult for most persons to remember 17 goals. A simpler model is needed to include important stakeholders such as children in their early childhood, in the vision towards a more sustainable future.

The 7 Planetary Wellbeing Goals proposed in the illustration below include, but are not limited to, the 17 SDGs. Planetary wellbeing is “the highest attainable standard of wellbeing for human and non-human beings and their social and natural systems” (Anto, et al) https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/6/3372/htm).

The Brickstar team successfully completed yet another assignment!

In early December 2020 the Nova Brickstar team successfully installed the last of the 700 stoves as part of the Gold Standard registered Brickstar Woodstove – Mahlaba Project (GS 4536) with a grant received from the Moody’s Foundation.

This milestone was achieved in the face of some of the the most formidable challenges the Brickstar team has had to face in the history of the project. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing national lockdown set the team back by 3 months. This was followed by the passing of our Project Coordinator, Maria Nyathi, which left the whole team and organisation in dismay. However the team showed great character and persevered to reach this milestone in time and in honour of our project’s ‘Mother’. We look forward to the year ahead knowing that we are stronger and more proficient than ever before.  

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Nova Institute received a grant from the National Lottery Commission

Nova Institute received a grant from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). This grant enables Nova to create greater awareness of our Brickstar Project as well as establish new areas were are Chics programme can be implemented.

We sincerely appreciate the contribution from the NLC as it contributes to realising our vision of a healthy household culture in Southern Africa.