Despite some popular notions to the contrary, poor communities are very aware that any form of development needs to take the environment into account. Such vulnerable societies are directly dependent on the natural environment around them- and do not possess the capital to trade with the environmental resources of others. Industrialized peoples on the other hand can mitigate the negatives of environmental degradation with money.  In short, wealthy people pay to get the bad stuff away and bring the good stuff closer. Rural communities in contrast, live in a close connection with their immediate natural surroundings, which sustain them from day to day.
At GDM we seek to explore innovative ways that improve environmental sustainability through the recognition of environmental discourse and the power relations at work. “…ultimately environmentalism is not about the relationship between people and nature, but about the relationship between people and people, competing for natural resources.”

FUTECO Park:

We have started realizing the dream of an integrated football and ecological park. It is a combination of three football pitches, 1500 indigenous trees, vegetable and herb gardens, traditional and medicinal plants and a focus on birdlife.

The ten hectares of land, 3km from the GDM clubhouse will also include visitor accommodation, youth accommodation, a gymnasium, indoor basketball court and classrooms.

The whole site is not only a positive and safe place where boys and girls can grow and play; it is also an ecological model, employing recycled materials, solar power and sustainable resource management.

Recent Highlights:
•    A study (mini-thesis) conducted on natural resource management, by focusing on the systems and institutions of tree usage in Manica.
•    Industrial Design students from the University of Johannesburg worked with the Manica community to research more effective charcoal stove design which can reduce tree-felling by 30%.
•    You can be involved: CO2!
We live on one planet that functions as an integrated eco-system. We have one ozone layer, we share the same oceans, we breathe the same air. Wealthy people (More than $ 1 000 per month) in general live lives of terrible consumption, especially pertaining to travel-related pollution.
If you donate $ 15, GDM will plant and look after a tree for you, contributing to your CO2 absorption.  As a general guideline, planting five indigenous trees per year is considered responsible social citizenship.

Attachments:

FUTECO OVERVIEW SLIDE SHOW	4314 Kb
Kids and bulldozer at FUTECO Park	2897 Kb
Letter from Municipality	802 Kb