Our organisation prides itself in helping create gardens like this one that we started several years ago as well as providing agricultural training for teachers like Lydia Fernando.
“Agriculture is a subject at school,” explains teacher, Lydia. Children learn how to prepare beds, plant seedlings, mulch and fertilise, weed and water using their school's borehole and their watering cans.
The school also has a nearby plot which is used to cultivate crops like beans, maize and millet. The crops and vegetables are used to feed the children at school and any surplus is sold so that they can buy seeds for the next season.
When a cyclone hit the area recently, the school was able to provide food to the community from their crops, so they really do benefit the entire community.
“The children eat from the harvest, they take some home and they also teach their families how to plant their own,” says school principal Antonio, pointing to a small plot just outside the school fence which mirrors their beautiful garden.
“The gardening and school meal each day reduces dropouts,” he says. “It also increases attendance. The pupils know that at break they will get a meal and it keeps them coming! They are also learning valuable skills for the future.”
