Vegetable garden helps Mams seniors fight poverty

The partnership between Stanza Bopape Community Development and Department of Agriculture gave two senior citizens a platform to start their own vegetable garden.

The aim of the partnership is to help fight poverty within the community of Mamelodi.

After Elizabeth Makena (65) and Dorah Mashiloane (67) were given land for the vegetable garden they cultivated onions, spinach, beetroot, green beans, cabbages, carrots.

“When we heard that stanza Bopape centre was giving residents portions to plant vegetables we took the opportunity and started our own vegetable garden.

“Coming here is better than staying at home doing nothing” said Mashiloane.

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She said tending to vegetables also helped her fight boredom at home as they both loved planting their favourite veggies.

She said the centre had also taught them how to make compost and how to plant their vegetables.

Makena said they were grateful because “we have learnt skills in agriculture”.

“We are able to feed our families with fresh produce and our families no longer sleep on an empty stomach,” she said.

She said the garden also created an income as they sold some of their crops to the community and the centre.

“Being here every day means a lot for us because working in the garden relieves our stress.”

Makena said it was hard work but rewarding “while at the same time being exercise”.

The senior citizens said they were struggling for seed and desperately needed donations of different seeds to keep their garden colourful and plant more vegetables.

Anyone who wished to donate may contact the centre on 012-815-8008.

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