By Maleeha Darab, Marketing Coordinator, Penny Appeal USA
Meet Mr. Douglas Van Der Merwe, the heart and soul of the thriving garden at Harvester Primary School. When the school faced the challenge of children going hungry and families struggling with food insecurity, they turned to an innovative solution: a school garden. This green oasis not only nourishes the students with nutrient-rich food but also supports families in need with fresh vegetables. It’s become a powerful tool for generating income as well, with the school selling excess produce to teachers and the broader community, steering them towards a self-sustainable future.
Affectionately known as Mr. Douglas by the students, he has been nurturing this garden for the past five years. His journey to Harvester Primary School is quite remarkable. Before donning his gardening gloves, Mr. Douglas served in the South African Army. After leaving the army, he took a short course on farming and gardening, aiming to acquire a new set of skills. Little did he know, he would fall head over heels for farming.
Mr. Douglas finds immense joy in his time spent in the garden, especially when it involves the eager young minds at the school. A firm believer in the benefits of organic food, he takes pride in contributing to the nutrition of over 800 learners who enjoy the garden’s bounty every day. He regularly invites students to assist with watering, basic maintenance, and planting. This hands-on experience is invaluable, and he relishes the opportunity to answer their myriad of questions. “They ask a lot of questions, and it’s fulfilling to see the children grow in knowledge and implement what we teach them in the garden,” he shares. He beams with pride when students tell him they’ve started gardens at home, inspired by their school experience.
Understanding the difficult situations many students come from, Mr. Douglas finds peace in knowing his work in the garden extends far beyond the school gates, benefiting numerous families. This perspective shift came when Penny Appeal USA introduced the school garden program. What once was an additional chore transformed into a structured and impactful project, with Mr. Douglas at the forefront.
Before the project, the garden struggled. Poor soil quality, harsh Cape Town weather, and persistent pests thwarted his efforts, leaving the space barren and abandoned. The support and resources from Penny Appeal USA revitalized the garden and rekindled Mr. Douglas’s passion for farming. With newfound motivation and knowledge, he witnessed the garden’s potential bloom, producing remarkable results.
For Mr. Douglas, this garden is more than a patch of land; it’s a lifeline for him and his family. It provided a crucial source of income during tough times. Through the support of Penny Appeal USA, the garden ensures that learners receive fresh, organic vegetables for lunch, veggie packs for home, and provides employment for Mr. Douglas. “We say thank you for supporting our school garden project. It also provides employment for us. So please, we would like you to continue your support since it helps our learners to get knowledge and is a source of food to many of our needy children,” he expresses with heartfelt gratitude.
The Harvester Primary School garden stands as a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the transformative impact of a single green thumb. With Mr. Douglas’s dedication and the continued support from Penny Appeal USA, this garden will keep flourishing, feeding, and inspiring for years to come.
