Schools Project Award Finalist: Legaganeng Primary School
Hilary Fine
In the schoolyard of Legaganeng Primary School in arid Northern Province is a thin, green strip that stands out as a shining example of how knowledge gained from a small, agricultural project blossomed to benefit both learners and the community at large.
Legaganeng began its permaculture project five years ago with a lack of both water and the necessary agricultural knowledge.
“We started the project because we realised the community was poor and we needed to generate income for the school,” explains Eneria Mashishi, the project coordinator.
Mashishi completed a permaculture design course and set about planting the garden. The permaculture methods allowed her to design a garden that would flourish.
The vegetables from the garden, which is 50m long and 3m wide, are used to feed learners and raise money for the school. Any extra produce is offered to the community at very low prices.
“Our project is self-sustainable,” says Mashishi. “We plant and sell, getting money to help the school and to buy what is needed for the garden. We plant and cook to feed our children and our children are healthy.”
This recipe for healthy living is integrated into all aspects of school life. Learners study permaculture in the classroom and lessons often take place among the plants.
Responsibility for taking care of the garden is shared by educators and learners. During the school holidays learners take turns maintaining the garden.
They are encouraged to adopt a tree in the schoolyard. “This helps them to learn about the tree,” explains Mashishi.
They also learn responsibility for the environment in promising to care for the plant. The learner is issued with a certificate saying that s/he “has promised to look after the tree and all the creatures that live in it”.
Legaganeng learners have embraced their responsibility and are proud of their produce. “As small as they are, they are eager to produce a good harvest,” says Mashishi.
Educators from neighbouring schools are invited to observe the cultivated garden and produce. Relationships with other schools are established to help others with permaculture initiatives.
Mashishi also organises Trees for Africa workshops for educators and members of the surrounding community.
The project at Legaganeng has been recognised by Eskom Eduplant and praised by the departments of water, environmental affairs and education. After winning an award in 1998, an Open Society Foundation sponsorship provided tools, seeds and a water system, as well as information.
Legaganeng displays an ongoing commitment to spreading the word about permaculture and proves that big strong branches grow from small seedlings.