Nurturing home-grown development in South Africa
www.thatu.org
South Africa Sojourn
In March two Thatu trustees, Susan Law and Margery Povall, went on a self-funded trip to South Africa, spending two exhausting but exhilarating weeks visiting Thatu's organic food garden projects in Gauteng and the Cape Flats.
They were also on the look-out for other initiatives seeking funds.
Lotus Gardens
After hearing regularly by email and telephone about progress at the Thatu gardens, we saw at first hand the difficulty of creating sustainable gardens when conditions are so harsh," said Margery. "The Thatu community food garden near Pretoria at Lotus Gardens school has been under great strain because of the intense heat and lack of rain. The crops are much smaller than hoped, and a few volunteers have become disillusioned. Others, many of whom are elderly or unwell, have found it only possible to work very early in the morning before the heat builds up. Despite this, the garden has doubled in size since last year.
"We had a very productive meeting with the school staff and the volunteers which noticeably raised morale. They agreed to have monthly business meetings amongst themselves to plan and organise for long-term sustainability."
Cape Flats
At the SEED schools on the Cape Flats we were astonished to see the productivity of land that looked like a beach," said Susan. "We were shown chicken-rearing, saw a group of little girls clearing the ground for a herb bed where every class will have its own patch, and pupils watering vegetables with buckets of soapy water to deter insects. One school has started growing herbs to make money for compost and new supplies. They have learned valuable lessons and are introducing new methods of cultivation to combat the fierce conditions."
Possible future projects
Susan and Margery also visited four other charities and projects, all with volunteers growing food and improving the environment and helping to fight off the ravages of AIDS by improving people's nutrition. They are all in bad need of funds to help them progress and become sustainable. All the Thatu trustees will now consider who will most benefit from its funding.
Personal impressions
This was Susan's first visit to South Africa (Margery was born there) and she was very struck by the warm welcome: "Everyone we met was so generous with their time and experience. I was impressed by the commitment of people to make a real difference – small step by small step – never deterred by hic-cups along the way, no matter how discouraging. They always find a way – it was inspiring ... "
Margery on her second visit to some of the projects said: "I come back home humbled by the amazing efforts people are making, and even more determined that we in Thatu must help them to make sustainable long-term improvements. Small amounts of money can make a huge difference to survival or decline. Our problem now is to decide which of the many deserving initiatives we can manage to support."
So this summer please have some fun and help Thatu:
- invite friends round to have a summer Jabula party for Thatu
- come to the fetes where Thatu has a stand and tell your friends.
Here is our summer schedule so far:
20 May Dulwich Park, London. Public event.
16 June Holy Trinity Church, Clapham Common, London. Public event
17 June Roots and Shoots, Kennington, London. Public event
7 July Jabula in Shipbourne, Kent – call 01732 810362 for an invitation.
8 July Windmill, Brixton Hill, London. Public event.
8 July Alton Fair in Hampshire. Public event.
14 July Medstead Fair in Hampshire. Public event.
14 Sept Tree House Open House Preview – call 01732 810362 for an invitation.
15 Sept Jabula Petanque in Kingsclere – call 01635 299646 for an invitation.
and please help Thatu without leaving home by:
- collecting loose change (see pennypinchers on the Thatu website)
- buying from the Thatu online shop
- or – best of all – set up a Standing Order from as little as £1 per month.
Thank you for all your support and enjoy the summer.
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