Together they bloom
The Together We Bloom initiative is making a difference in the community – one crop at a time.
Kromdraai residents face several challenges; from crime and service delivery issues to poverty.
Recently, residents, councillors and officials at the Kromdraai Clinic and various other NGOs have taken the initiative to improve the lives of the less fortunate.
According to Ward 30 councillor Gwen Britz, the community of Kromdraai informal settlement deals with adversity daily, as there is a lack of services in the ward. However, she said there was a glimmer of hope as a piece of land was offered to the community.
“It is just the first step to improve infrastructure and their livelihood. The land is a result of a joint effort by Ward 30, the Kromdraai Clinic and the Together We Bloom organisation. This initiative is to combat the issue of malnutrition among children in the informal settlement and to also raise awareness of other issues such as crime and service delivery in the area.”
Britz added that children, some as young as five years old, suffer from malnutrition.
”We received several reports from Kromdraai Clinic that children were admitted due to the lack of nutrition. We then took it upon ourselves to work with Together We Bloom to help them and improve their lives by starting the food garden. Other community organisations that joined also include The Bethany House Trust and Tool Box Project.”
Gwen confirmed that the food garden cost over R30 000 to build and that other projects are planned to help the community.
”Cable theft is among one of the bigger issues in the area, we hope to work with the municipality in providing the residents here with electricity and improve the service delivery,” Gwen concluded.
