THE MIDLANDS MEANDER ASSOCIATION EDUCATION PROJECT

MMAEP and Thatu

In 2008 Thatu began the relationship through funding three 'Gardening Workshops' for teachers from our Small Grants Fund.  We provided funds for four further workshops in 2009 with a view to activities being extended to other schools so that more children can be fed.

From January 2009 Thatu has also been funding intensive work in 'Cedara and Carshalton Schools' with the aim of establishing sustainable food gardens. They were selected from 12 schools, in which the MMAEP is already working. They are facilitated by permaculture experts and by the project volunteers. The project runs in parallel with intensive work in two other schools in the area which is being funded by SEED.

In 2010 we are committed to funding the same intensive work at another school – 'Sifisesihle School' – for one year.  Our funding will also enable MMAEP to monitor and support our original schools – 'Cedara and Carshalton' – whilst also giving ‘start up’ assistance once a month to two other schools – Triandra and Yarrow.  Sifisesihle is significantly different to our first poor rural schools, being in a township and with 576 pupils, many of whom are orphans.