In September 2020, one of our long-standing partners, the Kinderfonds MAMAS, availed crucial emergency funding for sustainable food security.
As partners in service delivery to the vulnerable, we realised food parcels are not sustainable, and it creates dependence and a culture of entitlement in our communities.
On the other hand, home gardens provide long-term sustainable food security and also contribute to empowering families.
After a rush to submit a funding application for a project we had little to no knowledge or experience in, we started off with seedling factories (seeds planted in tyres) at our four special care centres with the assistance and support of dedicated garden champions in November 2020.
After taking on the challenge of establishing food gardens with no existing gardens and no experience, we were surprised at the possibilities and opportunities food gardens can provide. Although we have experienced many challenges (lack of land/space, lack of interest from beneficiaries, damages due to heat/pets/pests, lack of guidance) we were very surprised with especially the establishment and development of the centre-based gardens – even those that are on small pieces of land!
Although the Rise and Shine Centre-based Garden in Worcester is doing fairly well, the size of the garden did not allow for addressing the need (produce for preparing the Rise and Shine Special Care Centre daily meals, supplementing food parcels) properly.
All involved are very excited at the prospect of fencing of additional land in front of and next to the building.
This enables stakeholders to add 400 m² to their existing garden, upscaling production and addressing demand.
Due to a very rocky landscape in Avian Park, the effort it takes to remove the large stones and homeowners using available land to erect informal housing structures, some of the initial Avian Park home gardeners exited the project.
The availability of land that can be accessed safely (due to gangster/crime elements) is a real challenge in this community.
But garden champion Frans Adams’ garden is producing well and he is even considering some expansion while continuously providing support to the other home gardeners in Avian Park.
Garden champion Joseph Matras’ garden in Touws River is truly a prize garden.
Although he has some challenges with pests and birds (and is being assisted with netting/fencing), he still manages to produce enough vegetables to sustain the Caring and Sharing Special Care Centre and hand out to the group of youth with disabilities, the Saam-Staan Student Support project and for preparing refreshment for the P4L Mamas groups in Touws River.
It took a while for these gardens to show real promise, but they are now an integral part of the feeding schemes at each of the participating special care centres.
Despite the food security, nutritional value and positive contribution to families and the special care centre’s feeding schemes, it provides an incredible opportunity for skills training, structured day programmes and even employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
