Permaculture Explorers is a hugely successful permaculture project launched in March 2019 in the RDP (Government Reconstruction and Development Program) village in Acornhoek.
Each year since its inception, there has been an intake of approximately 20 women who live well below the international extreme poverty line (about R28/day). Zingela Ulwazi, a local NPO, provides resources and opportunities for the women to lift themselves above the line of extreme poverty by combining permaculture gardening education with small enterprise development training.
Initially, the women receive a 50 sq. meter fenced garden plot topped with shade netting to protect their plants against the fierce African sun, and to keep out the free-range goats and chickens wandering around this rural area. The women also receive a rainwater catchment system and a 2.400-litre storage tank to catch rainwater, which is used to irrigate their gardens and for household consumption. Usually, the RDP only gets municipal water 4 days per month.
Each woman is taught how to grow food for her family according to permaculture principles, without pesticides and chemicals, in harmony with nature. If she produces in excess, she benefits by selling her produce to neighbours as well as small enterprises in the area, receiving additional income and slowly moving “above the line”.
The women also receive extensive training in small enterprise development so they can start small businesses that fill a need in community and bring in extra income.
The project has had a huge impact on many areas of the women’s lives: household income, health, family and emotional support. Their own words best describe how their lives have changed since starting Permaculture Explorers.
“I used to be very lazy and would just sleep after eating or even just hang around with other ladies not doing much. But now I am a busy woman, I work hard, I am disciplined and more focused.” RM (Her income has increased by 92% per month since starting the programme).
“I was suffering because I used to ask my neighbours for even 1 tomato to eat. They would give me a beetroot leaf. Now I can go in my garden and harvest. Now I am eating healthy vegetables and I am stress-free”. WS (Her income has increased by 194% since starting the program)
“Eating healthy changed my life. Getting together with other ladies makes a difference. I am a woman who didn’t go anywhere. But now I know how to communicate with other ladies and other people”. PM
Their graduation ceremony was supposed to be held on July 3rd but had to be postponed due to lockdown. We’ll report on the graduation once it is rescheduled. It promises to be a “WOW” day!
You can contact Stella Horgan, Director at stella@zingelaulwazi.org.za or
076-885-8168 or check out their website at www.zingelaulwazi.org.za
