Flourishing Gardens in Motsoaledi

The thriving gardens in Motsoaledi did not happen overnight, it's been a culmination of planting and returning to the same area over the past 5 years. Continued follow up by Build the Future and building the personal relationship has helped change the attitude and created trust and understanding with the people living in the squatter camps.

The people have learned that tending a garden will provide food for their family. Most of the gardens we planted in 2005, have been expanded and the people even plant gardens in open spaces to provide additional food for others. The lessons now are showing people how to compost, which our friend Albert is currently doing for his garden. His knowledge will show others and help their gardens grows. Also, we must teach them how to start their gardens from seed and/or show them how to gather the seeds once the harvesting of vegetables is over.

Planting Gardens

Lumkile (Sipho's youngest son), Lori, Bill, Zodwa and Armstrong

Hezikiah helped us plant one day

Obedience's husband has a green thumb, they have a fabulous garden

Bill and Lori planting spinach and cabbage

We planted gardens and handed out seedlings to those who already had flourishing gardens. Bill noticed that the people in Motsoaledi welcomed the idea of a garden or already had a garden in place. We didn't announce that we would be coming to plant gardens, we let the people know by word of mouth. If someone had dug up their garden area and were ready for seedlings, we would stop and plant. Because we were a small team, we invited residents to come along with us to help us plant, to interpret, to pray and to explain that we were planting gardens for free. By the end of the week, people were stopping by Gogo's house before we had a chance to get out of the van; to get seedlings for their gardens.