Gracepoint Garden Project
THE CAUSE:
The project was initiated as a response to the desire of Gracepoint Church to create small productive gardens within the context of a process of cultivation called “Farming God’s Way”.
This project was initiated and driven by the DoGood Team in August of 2019 – as a proof of concept for planting similar gardens in small church communities servicing the poor communities.
THE PURPOSE:
The purpose of the small gardens is to provide high yield gardens as a source to sustainable feeding schemes for communities (primarily) with undocumented children in schools that are not serviced by Government.
ROLE OF THE DoGood TEAM:
- The DoGood team selected the site on the church property, provided the training and expertise to the 24 volunteers who initially started the programme.
- The first 4.5m x 6m site was prepared and measured out in the second week after the training sessions.
- Volunteers elected to grow spinach, cabbage and white corn. This was done by each volunteer planting seeds and providing seedlings for replanting into the first garden after the first rains.
- Volunteers meet once a week to maintain and service the site and ensure that the plants are properly cared for.
- Planting started after the first rains in early November and regular care of the site is done by volunteers.
- Within the first 4 weeks the establishment of the site attracted attention from the community and a fence and gates were supplied and erected by the volunteers.
A second 4.5m x 9m garden was started as a means of extending the production of the initial garden, which is currently serviced every second week by a team of 8-10 volunteers, who rotate according to availability.
To date the Garden has cost R10 000 to establish and first harvest is expected in late January 2020.
The DoGood team project manage the execution of the programme and are responsible for the motivation of the volunteers and the development of the volunteers as the phases of farming through the seasons progresses. (AS there are times when activities are cumbersome and routine – during which volunteers seem to lose focus, direction and drive).
