Woolworths Making the Difference educational programme has been helping Grade 4 learners in some 1500 schools around the country learn about nutrition and healthy living since 2003. Starting this year, it will also help them learn more about sustainable living and permaculture gardening. In keeping with their Good business journey, Woolworths has added two new modules to the Making the Difference resource guide: Permaculture gardening & Sustainable living. These added modules will assist educators in teaching young South Africans about the importance of sustainable living and the principles and practices of permaculture gardening. Like the existing seven modules in the resource guide, these colourfully illustrated handbooks are designed to help teachers make learning fun by providing interesting, hands-on learning exercises and activities. As the introduction to the module on sustainability says, “Sustainability Education is not simply about learning facts and figures – it requires changing the way we see the world, adopting new attitudes, and expressing different behaviour. The measure of whether Sustainability Education is successful is if it results in learners, educators, parents and whole school communities changing their day-to-day behaviours so that we do actually create a sustainable South Africa.” Educators have welcomed the new modules. Says the Director: Curriculum Development for the Western Cape Education Department, Genevieve Koopman, “In light of the many challenges which are facing South Africa in terms of social and economic development, as well as the more global challenges of preserving natural resources while providing a growing population with good, healthy food and clean drinking water, we welcome this latest addition to the Woolworths Making the Difference programme.” ENDS __________________________________________________________ Notes to the Editor *Making The Difference programme – an innovative educational initiative Making The Difference focuses on sharing Woolworths’ extensive knowledge around good food and nutrition. The programme is designed for Grade 4 learners and targets their educators and parents. Each participating school receives a teacher’s resource pack with nine learning modules covering health, nutrition, the importance of physical activity, water education, sustainability and permaculture. Permaculture is a world-renowned system of sustainable gardening and farming that mirrors the healthy patterns of nature's eco-systems. Permaculture combines plants, animals, buildings, water, landscapes and people in ways that ensure that the particular environment generates more energy than is used. Through the Woolworths Trust EduPlant programme, Woolworths has been helping educators and learners – primarily in previously disadvantaged communities – learn the principles and techniques of Permaculture, thus enabling them to meet their own nutritional needs. In addition to the resource packs, there is an experiential learning component to complement the ‘Making The Difference’ programme. This component includes outings for the learners to Woolworths stores and suppliers, and incorporates the Woolworths Trust EduPlant 2008 programme. For parents there is a series of 45 parent talks aimed at offering assistance and advice on their children’s health, nutrition and physical well-being. *MySchool Programme – Shop and raise money for Schools The MySchool programme encourages supporters to raise funds for schools. Consumers throughout the country who carry MySchool and Woolworths World of Difference cards can earn additional funds for their chosen schools by simply swiping their card at the tills each time they buy at any Woolworths store in South Africa. Woolworths World of Difference card holders are automatically invited to participate in MySchool. Cardholders can support any school of their choice and do not have to have children at school in order to participate. Woolworths through the MySchool programme to date has contributed more than R50 million to participating schools. In October 2007 MyPlanet / MyVillage was introduced, this an extension of the MySchool programme, enabling customers to raise funds for selected charities & environmental organisations. As an added bonus Woolworths World of Difference card holders are entered into a monthly lucky draw via each item that they have purchased. The monthly winner receives R10 000-00 credit on their World of Difference card and another R10 000-00 for their nominated school. All South Africans are encouraged to participate in the MySchool programme by getting a brochure from the nearest Woolworths outlet or contacting MySchool on 0860-100 445. The Good business journey Woolworths Good business journey is a comprehensive 5 year plan announced in April 2007 to help people and planet. It incorporates a series of challenging targets and commitments centred on four key priorities: accelerating transformation, driving social development, enhancing Woolworths’ environmental focus and addressing climate change.

Woolworths Making the Difference educational programme has been helping Grade 4 learners in some 1500 schools around the country learn about nutrition and healthy living since 2003. Starting this year, it will also help them learn more about sustainable living and permaculture gardening.