Community vegetable garden empowers youth in Meriting

At the corner of K43 and R558 in Meriting lies the Believers Youth Program NPO’s vegetable garden, an initiative started in January by Thabang Koteli and Manchabeng Ntlaba. This project aims to provide a productive space for local youth while teaching them about farming.

The garden, covering about 200 square meters, is thriving with beds of spinach, carrots, beetroot, onion, cabbage, and chomolia. It is tended by the founders and 40 youths from Finetown and Meriting, including some recovering addicts.

“Due to high youth unemployment, we started this for food security and to create employment for the youths in our area. We are happy with the progress so far,” said Koteli.

However, to sustain and grow the project, the team needs community support.

“We seek sponsorship of garden tools, water pipes and tanks, seedlings, pesticides, fertilizers, food parcels and a fence to secure the area so that we can continue our work,” added Koteli.

Since the project’s inception, members have been pooling their resources to purchase necessary materials. However, these contributions are not sufficient. Currently, the garden does not generate revenue; the harvested vegetables are donated to preschools, and additional vegetable packs are distributed to community members in need.

You can help sustain this impactful initiative. To lend a helping hand, contact 069 505 4860 or 083 256 9141.