Upside down plants introduced at schools
Children are taught how to grow food upside down in a can.
Cangro was launched at two Toti schools last week.
Cangro is a sustainable development ‘green’ initiative in the progressive educational and food security space.
Children are taught how to grow food upside down in a can.
Galleria Mall and Arbour Crossing Retail Centre launched the project at Kamalinee Primary School in Isipingo and Siyathokoza Primary School in KwaMakhutha on Friday, 4 September as part of Arbour Week celebrations.
“Our belief is that education is key to success and it is the one thing that will alleviate crime, poverty, corruption and drugs,” said Galleria Mall general manager, Kurt Hoggan.
“The upside down concept is an extremely fun and practical way to educate our youth. This campaign resonated with us because it teaches children responsibility and to take care of something other than themselves. It gives them a sense of purpose and ownership. The cans are made purely of recycled material. This is our way of giving back to a community that supports us regularly.”
This is the first time this initiative has been introduced in KZN, hopefully the first of many to come. Through the planting process, Galleria Mall and Arbour Crossing Retail Centre have managed to reach out to 200 school children and in turn, 200 households.
At the same time children are learning about various elements of the grade 3 curriculum such as soil, bugs, photosynthesis, pollution and seed dispersal. “It is a two-month process from launch with a prizegiving at the end. The aim of the project is to grow a child’s imagination, self-belief and of course an amazing tomato plant.
We look forward to the upcoming two months and hope all the children have fun with their plants,” said Kurt.
