On Mandela Day, the Great Brak River Conservancy led a school environmental project to at SANTA Crèche (no-fee crèche) in Great Brak River. Working together with partners such as the GCBR, GOALS NPO, and community members they launched the Food Garden @ SANTA Crèche which will provide fresh ingredients for children’s meals and serve as an educational platform for sustainability and water conservation.
This project saw over two hundred vegetable seedlings and ten fruit trees planted, and a 2000-litre water tank installed. The water tank is being used to make the food garden more sustainable by harvesting rainwater from the roof of the creche. By demonstrating effective water-saving techniques, the project provides an educational framework for the children, who will be directly involved in the garden’s upkeep.
The garden will be maintained through community engagement, teaching children about water conservation and self-sufficiency while enhancing their meals with homegrown produce. The project emphasises early childhood development, community participation, and natural resource preservation.
We want to congratulate the Great Brak River Conservancy and their partner, GOALS NPO, on the ongoing success on their project and hope to see more initiatives like this take flight across the biosphere.
You can read more about this project on our blog – Community Spirit Blooms: Great Brak River Conservancy’s Mandela Day Vegetable Garden Project
Project Update – January 2025
The Food Garden @ SANTA Crèche project continues to flourish, with the crops growing well and providing fresh, homegrown produce for the children’s meals. The fruit and vegetable garden is thriving, and the students at SANTA Crèche are now enjoying nutritious meals made from the harvest. This initiative not only enhances their diets but also serves as a valuable educational platform, teaching the children about sustainability and water conservation. The community’s involvement in maintaining the garden ensures its long-term success, fostering self-sufficiency while contributing to early childhood development and environmental awareness.
Organiser: Great Brak River Conservancy
Project Category: School Environmental Projects
Project Year: 2024
Municipality: Mossel Bay
Small Grant Awarded: R3,000