How to GROW food opportunities
“The vegetables which are harvested from the crops are sold to family, friends and surrounding neighbours at a minimal fee. The money we raise from here will go towards establishing the training facility
THE owners of a Parkhill home have traded the beautiful flowers and a green lawn in front of their property for a leafy, green vegetable garden.
The idea came to Anthony Jean-Louis and Cathy Innes during the hard lockdown last year.
Not only did they want to have access to fresh vegetables all year round, but the plan was to get children involved in learning how to grow their own food as well.
“We have taken the programme to the schools and have taught children how to plant. We’ve also done lectures at the schools as well,” said Jean-Louise.
Titled GROW – Giving Real Opportunities With Love in Africa, the purpose of the project is to educate children on sustainable gardening and to keep them off the streets.
Their assistants, Jackes Burger and Orlando John are also a part of the project.
Jean-Louise and Innes plan on initiating a training centre soon where anyone interested, especially children, can come learn how to grow their own food.
“The vegetables which are harvested from the crops are sold to family, friends and surrounding neighbours at a minimal fee. The money we raise from here will go towards establishing the training facility,” said Innes.
Innes, who is a home chef, also plans on hosting classes to teach children how to cook up delicious meals from the veggies that are grown.
“I love planting, but cooking is my passion as well. If we can teach children these two life skills, it will equip them for the big world out there More importantly the purpose of the project is to keep children off the streets,” she said.
Pumpkins, lettuce, spinach, mealies, potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, thyme, celery and brinjals are some of the vegetables GROW has available at the moment and are all organically grown. No pesticides are used in the process.
Visit them at 22 Blackburn Road, Parkhill or call 084 573 2359 for more information.
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