TAKING care of the hungry in the community is not only about ensuring that they have something to eat, but also thinking of creative ways to make them self-sufficient, giving them a sense of independence and restoring their dignity.
This is the view of two community and religious leaders in Bloemendal, Christopher Adriaan and Apostle Earl Piet, who are currently assisting with a community vegetable and herb garden in order to supply 16 feeding schemes around Nelson Mandela Bay, which cater for at least 7 000 people daily.
The project is spearheaded by King’s Gate Revival Ministries (KGRM), a registered non-profit organisation.
The first seeds went into the ground on July 7 and so far, the garden has a wide variety of vegetable plants that include spinach, butternut, cabbage, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, beetroot, cauliflower and herbs.
Adriaan, who is not only involved in community upliftment projects but also leads the youth at KGRM, said that the NPO currently helps feeding schemes around the metro to provide a porridge breakfast and lunch of either soup or vegetable stew to needy residents.
“We rely on businesses and the community that are by means to sponsor or partner with us to make this possible. Currently, we are partnered with ‘Veg to You’ and they have been giving us wonderful physical assistance and even sponsored a lot of gardening materials. We have also received some help from members of the community,” Adriaan said.
“The challenge is getting a steady, consistent flow of sponsors as we know that everyone is going through a difficult time right now. Therefore we decided to assist communities to become self-sufficient by planting and growing their own vegetables.
“With good harvests, we would also like to sell some of the vegetables to generate income for the purchase of other essential ingredients and materials for the upkeep of the garden,” Adriaan added.
Piet, religious leader at KGRM, said that they would also like to erect a building next to the garden, which would serve as a youth centre and be named, Beacon of Hope.
“It will be a place of encouragement, teaching and hope. It will also serve as a hub for mobile clinics, thereby bringing health infrastructure closer.
“The youth in our community also need guidance and more positive extracurricular activities,” Piet said.
According to Adriaan, the centre would also be used for training purposes and much needed skills development. “It will be a meeting area with all the by-laws of the garden and daily assigned duties posted on the walls.
“We would then also use the youth centre for spiritual enrichment and fun activities like hip-hop dancing. The youth is our future so it is important that we mentor and develop them.”
Adriaan said that although they have started the gardening process, there is still a great need for sponsors, especially when it comes to fencing.
“We need a fence to secure the garden, JoJo tanks for water storage and more garden tools, specifically garden forks, rakes, spades and hose pipes. Building materials to start working on the youth centre structure are also on the list of necessities.”
Piet added that there are many stray pigs and unknown elements in the area and it would be a shame if the garden was ruined because they could not afford a fence.
“Every big movement or initiative started with a vision that only God gives.
“I realise that no man is an island and we all might differ on our views, opinion, race, religion or culture, but one thing that we all have in common is the desire to bring or be the change that we want to see.
“This can be the channel for someone who really wants to be a blessing to widows, orphans, the elderly and street dwellers.”
Anyone who would like to get involved with the project in any way, can visit the King’s Gate Revival Ministries Facebook page or send an e-mail to: kingsgaterevival@gmail.com. Piet can also be contacted on 081 889 6669.
