Eco-circles just for the little ones
ALEXANDRA - Meals on Wheels Community Services an NPO teamed up recently with Standard Bank to improve food security for an early childhood development centre.
MEALS on Wheels Community Services, and NPO, facilitated a team from Standard Bank on a garden project to improve food security for an early childhood development centre.
Away from the comfort and security of plush air conditioned offices, the bank’s employees and local volunteers sweated in the midday sun preparing eco-circle beds for vegetables at Entokozweni Day Care and Community Centre. They planted cabbages, onions, spinach, tomatoes and beetroot.
The circles are a model for ecologically-friendly gardening. Through an underground bottle system, they require minimal watering, in a limited space, reduce soil erosion, and are easy to manage.
Hannah Mwenda of Meals on Wheels, said Entokozweni was selected as it showed interest in the project, and this would add to its existing garden. “They are already producing vegetables for the children’s meals, have additional space for more gardening, and a maintenance plan to guarantee the sustainability of the project. Furthermore, the centre is supported by community volunteers and community development workers who help on various tasks.”
The centre’s principal, Flora Manaka, thanked the donors and said the contribution extended the existing garden on land that had not been used since the centre’s establishment in 1944.
“We will be able to increase the quantity and variety of vegetables to make for a balanced diet for the children – and save on our operating budget,” she said.
The event was preceded by drumming facilitated by Drum Tribe, an organisation that specialises in team building. Shaun Reyneke of the organisation said they used music to motivate the team before working the ground.
“Music is an energiser and a form of therapy. We use drums and marimba to relieve them from stress, to improve communication when they work, and to break down barriers while building the team,” he said.
The organisation works with corporates, development organisations and also individuals.
Details: Meals on Wheels Community Services 0860 000 7000.
