The elderly are often a neglected segment of society in cities and yet have much to contribute, especially through gardening. The Too Greenish Movement brings the youth to work with the elderly community members in South Hills, Johannesburg, to assist them in developing their gardening projects, through providing education, tools, seedlings and access to tap water (so they don’t have to struggle with physically strenuous activities of carrying buckets of water).
In this way, the elderly have greater food security and better gardens, having learned about planting seasons, improving soil fertility and farming techniques. They also have the possibility of generating additional income from selling excess crops.
The project demonstrates when you do something, someone out there is watching and willing to help. and that help / assistance can only show up when you already doing something.
What has been achieved
- Forty-two beneficiaries attended the workshop that was designed to identify the priority intervention areas in the community.
- Plumbing work, to ensure access to water close to the gardens, was prioritised.
- Purchase of tools and equipment, although the project experienced some setbacks, e.g. when the taps in the garden were stolen and had to replaced, and the unexpected need for fencing (to secure the gardens) and netting (to prevent birds from damaging the crops).
- The youth have been inspired by the project and by the contribution made by the elderly.
- The elderly feel appreciated and valued, and are actively sowing their gardens.
The major impact that this project had was with the young as this inspired them and proved that change is possible. It proved that changes are not foreign to our immediate community environment but is built from and by community members from a collective effort. The elders in the community also feel appreciated and valued from the efforts of Too Greenish Movement. Some of the beneficiaries have also started to sow from their own efforts, which in the long term can contribute to eliminating hunger and promoting health. and as far as the Gardens are concerned we have sparked hope to our beneficiaries that when you do something, someone out there is watching and willing to help. and that help / assistance can only show up when you already doing something.
Alignment with IUDF
Inclusion and access: the elderly and youth have intergenerational conversations and assist each other.
Growth: the gardens provide not only food security but also income generation possibilites.
Stakeholders
Civil Society: community, the elderly and the youth, and the NGO sector
