Hennops Revival, founded by Tarryn Johnston, has successfully removed 4.5 million kilograms of trash from the Hennops River in just four years, showcasing the power of community action and environmental stewardship.
Johannesburg, South Africa (27 March 2024) – In an inspiring display of community spirit and active citizenship, a remarkable clean-up initiative has successfully collected and diverted an astounding 4.5 million kilograms of trash from polluting our dams and oceans in just four years.
This outstanding achievement highlights the positive impact that collective action can have on environmental conservation.
The brainchild behind this transformative initiative is Tarryn Johnston, who founded “Hennops Revival” in November 2019 following a devastating flood that wreaked havoc on large areas surrounding the Hennops River. Driven by a deep-seated passion for the environment, Johnston embarked on a mission to clean up the river and its surroundings, and her efforts have since garnered global recognition.
Speaking about the initiative, Johnston said, “What started out as a single mother hosting a once-off river clean-up has developed in ways I never imagined! I certainly did not see this coming, but here it is.”
Despite facing scepticism and naysayers along the way, Johnston remained steadfast in her commitment to making a difference.
“I lost count of how many people have told me it couldn’t be done, I’d never get it right, and I’m wasting my time. If I had listened to them, I’m not sure what our Hennops River would look like!”
Operating without a salary, Johnston poured her heart and soul into Hennops Revival, creating employment opportunities for homeless individuals who share her passion for environmental stewardship.
“Hennops Revival is creating jobs for homeless people who actually love what they are doing and it gives them a sense of purpose!” she enthused.
Johnston firmly believes that water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children’s lifetime.
“The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land,” she says.
In just four years, Hennops Revival has cleaned up over 4.5 million kilograms of trash, logged 26,000 volunteer hours, created over 8,000 job opportunities, and impacted over 207 million Kilolitres of water.
Her hope is that more South Africans will become actively involved in river clean-ups, with the ultimate goal of restoring our rivers to sources of clean drinking water.
Johnston believes that raising awareness about the importance of preserving our water sources is crucial, stating, “We all share this water, and I think people should be made aware of this and be more conscious about how they treat the environment.”
With South Africa facing a serious water crisis, initiatives like Hennops Revival serve as a shining example of what can be achieved through collective action and community engagement.
Well done to Tarryn and her team and here’s to the continued success of Hennops Revival and to a cleaner, healthier environment for all!
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