#AppreciationMonday: Youngsters turn a dump site into a food garden
A wonderful story to inspire us all this Appreciation Monday...
This story has a whole lot of hope, courage, and just shows us that in life, we are the writers of our lives.
These two youth from Soweto have proven to us that sometimes all you have to do is step out of the box that society puts you in, and do what feels right.
Makhosini Ndlovu (26) and Thobelani Sodinga (25) have managed to turn a dumpsite into a food garden...
When we were kids, this was a playground. But as time went on it became a dumping site because the infrastructure fell apart. People used to start fires here, others got mugged and there was no safe play area for children in this community.
The space had deteriorated after a lack of maintenance from the city. Riddled with rodents, an eyesore for the community, and also a space that encouraged crime, has now become a space that the community feels proud of.
Ndlovu has been unemployed for four years, and starting the garden has really changed his life. Since there is no community hall in their zone, the garden area has become a hub for the community.
Check out more from East Coast Radio
"Sodinga also said they are trying to encourage other young people in the area to get involved in the garden. They give them some produce to take home in exchange for their help." (MSN)
The team grow spinach, carrots, beetroot, chomolia - which is African Kale, cabbage, and baby marrow. Not only do they sell their vegetables locally, they also donate to the elderly residents in and around Pimville, as well as Kliptown.
Thank you to these two youngsters who are representing their community in such an uplifting way.
Here's to more projects like this in South Africa!
Image Courtesy of Facebook