Elsburg Primary School garden to feed the community
“My grandmother taught me how to garden and told me if you have a garden you would never go hungry.”
Food shortage remains an issue in disadvantaged communities, leading to many families sleeping on an empty stomach and children going to school hungry.
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This inspired Elsburg resident Trudy Rulashe to take a stand and do something about this situation. She started a vegetable garden at Elsburg Primary School.
“A child who has nothing to eat inspired me to start this garden because I know the pain of going to bed hungry and I wanted to change that,” said Trudy.
She choose the school to start the garden at because she saw a need.
“It’s difficult to concentrate on an empty stomach. I started the garden here at school so it can benefit learners.
They can pick veggies right from the school’s garden and in that way ensure they have a meal every day,” she said.
She said the space she uses at the school is small and hopes to get a bigger one.
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“I want this garden to benefit the school and the community and if I can get a bigger space that will mean feeding more families,” said Trudy.
She said she would love to see the community join in on the gardening project and help to grow it together.
“The principal has been very supportive and I’m happy he has welcomed me into the school and I’m able to run the project,” said Trudy.
She said she would also love it if children could be involved in the project so they can know how to grow their food.
“My grandmother taught me how to garden and told me if you have a garden you would never go hungry. That is something I carried with me when I started the garden. Food is expensive but if you have a variety of veggies in your garden, that ensures you have food on the table,” said Trudy.
“I’m short on seeds and would appreciate if people can donate seeds and watering cans,” said Trudy.
“Covid has been hard on many in the community. Some people have lost jobs or received salary cuts and that can lead to not having enough food in the house. I hope this project can help such families in the community.”
