The Witkoppen Clinic in Fourways cares for some very sick people, and they are hoping to be able to provide wholesome vegetables by installing a food garden.
Fourways, South Africa (27 October 2021) – The Witkoppen Clinic in Fourways is setting up a vegetable garden to grow fresh vegetables to supply to their poorest patients. Most of their patients are from the nearby township of Diepsloot.
Nutrition is a big challenge for many people, especially those who are sickly. The clinic had several established gardens in the communities they serve, but sadly they have suffered during the pandemic. To manage a garden more closely, they are pooling their efforts and converting space at the clinic.
The area is well secured and will mean the garden is protected from roaming animals, sticky fingers and vandals. The garden’s main advocate is 25-year old Sipho Mahlangu – who himself grew up in a shack in Diepsloot.
Sipho joined the Witkoppen Clinic’s YesForYouth project and has flourished. He had studied a Bachelor in Business Administration at Rosebank College and found a home in the Clinic’s Business Development department.
“Ever since I started working here I developed a passion for helping those in need, and ensured that getting donations for the Clinic is my number one priority. I recently put my focus on the vegetable garden because there was a patient that told me how much of a difference the garden makes, and it broke my heart to see that all our gardens were dying due to lack of resources. Hence, I reached out to local residents on social media platforms, and came across some wonderful ladies who have been phenomenal with assisting us kick start the project”.
With the help of donors, the team has done the preparation work for the 100m2 garden at the clinic. Reva Barendse has been assisting Sipho, and she saw a way to help the clinic. Reva wrote to Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels for some help with seeds and useful equipment.
The Good Morning Angels Fund will assist Sipho and the Witkoppen Clinic with their vegetable garden project with a donation of R 20 000 for seedlings, equipment, and other needs to see their garden flourish!
This is wonderful news, and we cannot wait to see the garden grow and nourish those who need it most.