Working in Nyanga, one of the poorest and possibly most dangerous parts of Cape Town, it`s wonderful to see what a huge difference small changes make.

FTFA is grateful for the opportunity to work with Hlengisa Primary School and thanks Tullow Oil for their commitment towards enabling them to expand their current food garden, which assists the feeding scheme by supplying fresh organic vegetables. The funding also targeted specific areas of need, such as erecting a fence around the garden and teaching the project members about Permaculture gardening methods.

Without the fence there would have been no garden. Without the garden a valuable transfer of long term skills and education would not have arisen. Perhaps for some learners the symbiotic relationship between the natural world and humans would have remained a mystery.

The children of Hlengisa have now learned about the benefits of a food garden, a greener environment and recycling. They learned how to work as a team and how to care for creatures that help to care for us.

Although challenges were encountered during the implementation of this project, the food garden has had a positive impact on the school. It is hoped that the school will continue to participate in these greening activities and further develop the ones already started.

Tullow Oil funding has done far more than simply create a garden. It has allowed a doorway of opportunity to open.