book
Romario at Beachwood Mangroves, Durban. Photo Credit: Supplied

Romario Valentine has been a busy young man; when he isn’t working at cleaning up the beaches of Durban, he has been working on a new book to share with South African youth.

 

Durban, South Africa (05 September 2022) – Romario Valentine is a pint-size planet warrior and artist from Umhlanga, Durban, who can now add an author to his list of accomplishments. He has dedicated the last four years of his young life to protecting our planet. A noble cause indeed!

Entirely focused on his passions, he has advocated for bird and marine conservation, climate change, and deforestation.

Romario helped 900 endangered birds at Umgeni River Bird Park, Durban, during the covid-19 lockdown in 2020 and has raised over R55,000 in the last 12 months for bird species in Durban and in Western Cape. He did a Bird Habitat Restoration Campaign on BackABuddy for abandoned African Grey Parrots at Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape. Crowdfunding was used to raise funds to complete a 30×30m aviary so the birds can have a happy place to live freely. The bird sanctuary is home to 3,500 indigenous and exotic endangered birds and is the world’s largest free-flight aviary. He aims to prevent them from becoming extinct.

He was devastated when the Durban floods resulted in a mass of pollution on the beaches. Being on school holiday at the time, Romario took to the beach to do his 220th beach clean.

Since then, he has been entirely focused on writing his first academic book. Titled “Protect our Planet – Take action with Romario”, he has created a comprehensive guide that focuses on key environmental topics – from recycling and reforestation to pollution solutions and climate change.

Topics covered in this book overlap with the Foundation Phase curriculum, and include:

  • The relationship between people and the environment
  • Renewable resources, such as solar power
  • Forestation and why trees matter
  • Types of pollution and the problem with plastic
  • Reducing, reusing and recycling
  • Climate change
  • The importance of clean water
  • Craft ideas, art activities and backyard activities

Romario believes that children, like himself, have the power to innovate and create the change that is needed fo the future of South Africa.

“I hope my book will educate and inspire children to become eco warriors. Hopefully children can find innovative ways to protect biodiversity. I believe children involved in environmentalism from a young age will help them become better citizens and leave a legacy for future generations.”

He has set his sights on the future, hoping to become a scientist one day in order to be the change well into his adult years.

“I would like to become a scientist to better understand our natural environment and protect endangered bird species. I want to utilise my gift of art to raise awareness for bird conservation, climate change and deforestation. When I’m an adult I will help children who don’t have opportunities, reach their full potential, and become the best that they can possibly be. I also love sport. “

You can find out more about Romario’s book here.


Sources: Delsha Moodly – Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *