"The same principles of gardening in drought conditions apply here in southern England as in South Africa, but the South Africa conditions are tougher, the stakes are higher and the methods used are often very unusual and always very resourceful. For example, pupils bring "grey" water - used domestic water from bathing or washing - to water their school garden. Plastic bags and old tyres are used to build raised beds that retain water and channels are dug to divert rainwater to plants that need the most water. The pupils even improve their maths by calculating the volume of water needed per square foot of garden, and therefore how much money has been saved by using grey water."

Thatu is finding that its support of community food gardens can have a wide impact. It enables schools and community volunteers to learn new skills, and once established the gardens provide much needed nutrition and income.