One seed at a time, the circumstances of the families in Pacaltsdorp are changing for the better! Children are learning how to plant their own vegetables, sharing this knowledge with parents and building a stronger, healthier community from the inside out.
Pacaltsdorp, South Africa (10 March 2025) – Something as small as a seed holds the power, when nurtured well, to take root and grow and significantly turn a family’s dire situation into an improved one.
Built on this knowledge and belief, the Enviro Solutions Centre’s Seed Share programme is changing lives for the better through dedicated seed distributors such as Mary-Anne Witbooi.
In the heart of Pacaltsdorp in George, Mary-Anne and a team of six dedicated community members run four programmes that focus on addressing food security and giving people skills to grow their own food.
By growing productive food gardens and processing food, these seed distributors are creating agricultural livelihoods, providing gardening skills, training and run a small nursery to service the wider community.
“One programme focuses on teaching children at the ECD Centre ages 2-5 how to grow veggies and where veggies come from so that they will be interested from a young age and know how to plant their own food, do composting and fertilisation,” explains Mary-Anne.
“Eventually they can teach their parents how to grow food at home. We also run a soup kitchen on a Wednesday at our local clinic to feed people who are hungry.”
Being part of Seed Share SA has extended the capacity of what many members of the community were already working towards:
“People were very happy with receiving seeds and they are all saving money by planting their own vegetable gardens. We are doing this to ensure a healthy, hunger-free and safe community,” Mary-Anne adds.
For Enviro Solutions Centre, Mary’s story strengthens the belief that any meaningful change has to come from the inside, and that when community members are supported to implement the things they want to achieve, real change can take root!
Sources: Enviro Solutions Centre
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