Organic kids up ahead!

Escalating food costs, low levels of nutrition in rural areas and pressure on the environment has made MEC and Mankosi Community in general, keenly aware of the need for taking radical steps towards self sufficiency, environmental understanding and conservation and food production.
We are very excited about the future of the MEC Organic Classroom Project and about starting abundant food gardens at all the preschools in our cluster once the Mdumbi garden is set up and flourishing. The hands-on learning that the children will continue to experience, will benefit them in a holistic way. Learning about nature and gardens and applying the skill to feed oneself and one’s family is a priceless life skill.

The beneficiaries

• Preschool learners
The harvest of the Mdumbi Education Centre garden produce will be used for the preparation of their daily meals. They will also benefit from the Organic Classroom Project.

• Afterschool learners
The learners of the Organic Classroom project will learn about organic farming and organisational skills.

• Educators
They will gain training in organic farming and new teaching skills.

• Community

The key objectives of the MEC Organic Classroom Project are:

• To ensure that each child gets a healthy, nutritious, fresh meal a day
• To enable young children to learn about growing food, nutrition and agriculture in a sustainable and organic way.

Initially the garden was going to be 7m x 4m enclosed by a fence. We were going to erect one large tunnel with shade cloth for walls and roof – size 6m x 3m. However, Mdumbi Backpackers generously donated a portion of their land for our use! The new garden is approximately 15m x 3m.

The garden is located behind the Mdumbi Backpackers restaurant, close to the Mdumbi Education Centre to ensure easy access by all the learners, teachers and facilitators.
At the moment we are busy with the hard landscaping of the garden.

One of the first things, was to erect a proper fence to ensure that the cows, horses and goats that roam freely in our community will not be tempted by a “free lunch”. This will be covered and strengthened with shade cloth, especially to protect the garden against the raging coastal wind we experience.

We will then purchase and erect an organic hydroponic gardening tunnel to protect crops and enhance productivity.

Next steps:
• Shade cloth for fence
• Purchase organic hydroponic gardening tunnel
• Plant seeds and seedlings
• Complete organic classroom curriculum

Week 1: Cleaning space and leveling gardening area as well as creating keyhole learning bed.

Week 2 - 4: Creating composting area, starting mulching process and digging holes for wind break banana trees

Week 5: First Organic Classroom Lesson!
One of our gardening experts, David Brewis, explained to the preschool learners what is currently happening, including mulching, composting and what kinds of veggies we are going to plant. It was a roaring success and the children were very excited!