TryGive feeds 160 children daily
An Acornhoek man is the driving force behind a project where he and his wife feed up to 160 children on a daily basis providing hot nourishing meals.
TryGive Nxumalo and his wife Susan help unprivileged children with basic needs such as food and school uniforms. TryGive is also a permaculture educator. A Hoedspruit resident, David Byrne, spent an afternoon with TryGive and Susan. “I was privileged to have spent an afternoon with one of the most incredible human beings I have ever met, TryGive Nxumalo. “We had met before but today we got a chance to sit and actually talk about what he does when I visited him and his wife, Susan, at their community garden in Rooiboklaagte, Acornhoek. “I am just blown away by what they do.
With the support of Spring of Hope, Ubuntu Mondo, Seeds of Light and many individual donors, this couple manages to do some amazing things,” said David. For the “poorest of the poor”, to use TryGive’s expression, there is usually an extra portion to take home to ensure other family members eat. TryGive also works with 52 schools in the Bushbuckridge area, teaching children the importance of sustainable food growing. “On Saturdays I run classes to teach people how to grow their own food. “There are currently 388 families with home gardens because of my efforts. “These people grow enough food to feed themselves – to the point where many never have to buy mealie meal at a shop as they grow enough corn to supply their needs,” said TryGive.
Also read: Family grateful for donations
David added that on Saturdays he works for a another NGO, also teaching. The salary he earns, he uses to help the community garden. “The impact these two individuals have on the local community can not be underestimated. “I was even more privileged to visit a person’s own garden and hear them talk about the security they have knowing they have enough food. I was doubly privileged to meet TryGive’s mother and see her own garden. “TryGive is so passionate about what he does, he left me in awe of what one person can accomplish. Everything he does on the farm revolves around sustainability – making sure the garden provides enough seeds for the next planting, as well as food for consumption and for sale to help fund more improvements.
Everything is also completely organic, with no chemicals used at all. “More people like TryGive and we really could save the world.” David says he asked TryGive what his greatest immediate need is. “He would like to be able to keep chickens – both for eggs for the children they feed and for eggs to sell to generate funds for yet more improvements. “Plus, the manure can be used as fertiliser. “To raise chickens, they need some fencing, a chicken coop and some chickens,” added David.
