Gardening Goodness

The weather here over the past few weeks has really been quite glorious. It is generally freezing in the morning and in the evening, but during the day the sun is shining and we can still wear tshirts. This makes for some great outdoor times during the day as we all try to absorb as much warmth as we can before the sun disappears.

Many families at Refilwe have been using the late afternoon hours to work on their winter gardens. There is a large piece of land that is dedicated to vegetable gardens and each family here at Refilwe has a plot where they grow a variety of vegetables throughout the year. Late last week I watched/helped a family of 7 here work on their garden, taking some photos of the process. We, as a volunteer house, have also been allotted our garden space, which a few weeks ago we took to with veracity, clearing and marking out beds. And since then... nothing. Our garden so far proudly boasts a well established Basil plant... and that's it. Luckily, the families here have much more motivation when it comes to reaping the harvest of their hard work later in the year!

Gardens are seen as an important part of community development and several of Refilwe's programs encourage vegetable gardens. The God Parents program capitalises on the idea of cheap vegetables and healthy eating for the children; the Health and Social Welfare side of things takes information about gardens out to the informal settlements around us, educating people on the need for healthy eating regardless of your social status. HIV/AIDS is prevalent amongst those living in poverty in South Africa and healthy eating is one easy way to help manage HIV in its early stages. ACAT also encourages gardens in terms of small business- selling your excess spinach and potatoes can be an easy way to earn some extra income at certain times of the year.

Refilwe regularly distributes vegetable seeds as a form of social development, providing individuals and families with a resource that should enable them to supplement their diet (which generally consists of carbs and meat) with vital nutrients. The key idea behind gardening is that it is a sustainable endeavour: to change the old adage slightly- give a family a bag of carrots and they'll eat for a day, teach a family to grow carrots and they'll eat for a lifetime. One doesn't even need a huge plot of land to build a garden. There are many creative ways in which a family can establish a garden; growing potatoes and onions in stacks of old tyres, using plastic bags stuffed full of dirt, using planter boxes for smaller plants. 

The only real hindrance to success is the lack of motivation to see a garden through, season after season. Some of the informal settlements around Refilwe do not have easy access to clean water, however this has proven to be just a small obstacle for those who are dedicated to keeping their garden alive. For others, the work required is just too much for them and their gardens die (or never get started.) The Home Based Care team here at Refilwe is doing good work in motivating people to move from the second category into the first.

A garden is such a simple idea. Many of us I'm sure have fanciful ideas about growing our own vegetables and saving a bit of money. It is amazing to me that what is a fun hobby for some of us can be life-changing for others. Gardens provide an easy means of healthy eating, a source of extra income and a way to gain some valuable life skills for many individuals and families struggling in our area. Just thinking about all of this makes me want to get re-started on our garden beds first thing tomorrow...