LAVENDER Tea Garden at the Overport Memorial Congregational Church in Peter Mokaba (Ridge) Road celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday.
The tea garden, which was started by minister, Heather Thompson as an outreach project for the unemployed people at the church, has flourished over the past 10 years.
The idea behind the establishing of the tea garden started was born when concerns were raised over what to do with the elderly congregation and outreach to the community. At the time there were a lot of unemployed people in the church and others who would regularly ask for help. Heather thought a tea garden could make a difference because everyone could bake and make tea.
Some people have worked in the tea garden every Friday since it was started. One of the women is now 86 years old and still helps out on a Friday. She said the tea garden has generated enough funds to pay for the five staff members. Staff receive double pay on special occasion days and Christmas.
“Just about all the staff have been here for 10 year. We have staff from other African countries too. We have our regulars who come through every week, as well as a group of knitters who come every week to drink tea and knit together. It is a ministry within a ministry!” she said.
Heather said she had one more year before she retires prayed the tea garden would continue to flourish once she leaves.
Go along to the Lavender Tea Garden on a Friday from 10am to noon, and enjoy a cuppa and some cake.
The tea garden is also open for birthdays and anniversaries.
