Johannesburg – A simple vegetable garden in Alexandra township has become a solid stepping stone to a healthy and better future for more than a hundred preschool children.
The Boitumelong Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre food garden project in Alex has not only fed 135 children for the past year and a half but also saved R600 a month.
The centre has been able to reduce its monthly spend on vegetables from R800 to under R200, with the money saved going towards helping them build an additional classroom.
The centre was the beneficiary of hospitality company Sun International’s corporate social investment drive into the education space, and the support helped build more than 20 vegetable beds in March 2023.
The project was established with the help of the international NGO Rise Against Hunger Africa (RAH Africa).
Since then, the Boitumelong ECD Centre garden has had a significant impact, both financially and educationally.
Beetroot, spinach, brinjals, onions, cabbage, pumpkin, and carrots are harvested weekly.
The veggie garden has 24 beds.
RAH Africa puts trainees through official agriculture training to enable them to run sustainable garden projects.
They are taught costing, project viability, soil fertility, as well as pest, disease, and weed control.
Trainees also learn how to monitor and coordinate harvesting.
Buyi Shabalala, who is responsible for running the Boitumelo ECD garden, went through the training.
“This training has not only improved Buyi’s skills and knowledge, but will also lead to an ever more flourishing garden,” said Boitumelo ECD principal, Nokulunga Ncube.
Sun International CSI Manager Heidi Edson said: “Sun International is pleased that the garden is adding great value to the ECD and the children attending this facility, and we are now in our second year of funding the project.
“Our plan is that through the training and assistance provided, the project will continue indefinitely once funding does come to an end as it not only ensures additional nutritional food support for the children of Boitumelong and educates them on the farming of fresh vegetables, but it also creates employment and reduces monthly expenses for the ECD.”
The RAH Africa Sustainable Development team is responsible for establishing the longevity of the food garden.
“This phase is known as the Transition Phase and will include training on budgeting and financial planning, seedling and compost production, crop selection, and training on HR matters such as leave,” said RAH Africa CEO Brian Nell.
“This garden has been a great success and has led to several other ECD Garden projects.”
