Clarke Estate in Elsies River, an area that is notorious for being plagued by crime and drug abuse, now has a wonderful initiative to boast. Several teens have started to farm vegetables to help promote food security in the community, learn valuable skills and combat unemployment.
The garden provides a safe alternative for youngsters who might otherwise have gotten trapped on the wrong side of the law trying to survive. Another amazing outcome is that the vegetables can be sold to local supermarkets or spaza shops, generating an income and offering employment to those fresh out of school.
One of the founders, 18-year-old Geronimo De Klerk told SABC: “The reason for starting all this is to create positive changes, to feed the hungry and also to create employment. When we talk about employment, we talk about turning this into a well-known business as well as feeding the community, but also supplying to local supermarkets.”
Another garden tender, Matthew Dirksen, added: “The whole point of you working in the garden is to provide for the people who do not have food in their houses and to provide for a lot of people that need it in life.”
Picture: Facebook/Geronimo De Klerk