By Erin Martin
As part of my Internship at GCBR I have been allocated R20,000 to plan and implement my own project. The purpose of this initiative is to develop and practice, project management skills and to contribute to the organisation’s broader goals. With a passion for children, education, community empowerment and food security, I decided on a project which I called, Seeds of Change. I am busy implementing this initiatve at Goedgegun Primary School, about 15km outside Riversdale in the Western Cape, and am excited to share what is busy sprouting here – literally.
A Garden with a Purpose
The idea behind Seeds of Change is simple: teach children how to grow their own food and care for the environment. It is more than just providing fresh vegetables for school meals; it’s about nurturing curiosity and teamwork. Students from grades 4–6 are rolling up their sleeves to water, weed, and watch their plants thrive.
The project aligns well with the goals of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, promoting sustainability, resilience, and environmental stewardship in the community.
From Design to Harvest: How the Garden Took Shape
The project was carefully planned and executed in phases:
- Garden Design and Soil Preparation (April–July 2025)
With guidance from local nursery experts, the team picked the perfect mix of plants, vegetables, herbs, succulents, and five Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The soil got a boost with rich compost, and twelve vegetable beds plus five herb beds were carefully prepared to optimise the available space.
- Planting and Growth (July–October 2025):
This was where the magic really began. Students, volunteers, and community members rolled up their sleeves and got to work planting vegetables, herbs, and succulents. Indigenous trees found their spots where they will take root, bring shade and support local biodiversity. Thanks to a drip irrigation system, water will be used efficiently, even during the dry months.
- Harvest and Community Impact (October–November 2025)
The moment everyone will be waiting for, the first harvest! Fresh vegetables will go straight from the garden into the school kitchen, feeding 45 learners and showing firsthand how sustainable food production will make a real difference. Along the way, the garden will become a classroom for lessons in nutrition, seed harvesting, teamwork, and environmental responsibility.
- Ongoing Care and Sustainability
Even after the first harvest, the work will continue. Students and teachers will stay involved with propagation training, regular maintenance and monitoring, keeping the garden healthy and productive. Plans for a second planting cycle will already be in motion, ensuring that this green space will continue to grow, educate, and nourish for years to come.
Overcoming Challenges
No garden grows without a few weeds or challenges. Water shortages and unpredictable weather were real risks. But by using drought-tolerant plants, water-saving techniques, and guidance from local gardening experts, potential problems were turned into learning opportunities.
A Community Effort
What makes Seeds of Change so special is how everyone came together. Teachers, learners, parents, volunteers, and community members all contributed their time and energy to help create a thriving garden. With everyone pitching in, the project is a celebration of community, sustainability, and hands-on learning.
Growing Beyond the Garden
Seeds of Change is a living classroom where lessons extend far beyond the garden beds. Students gain hands-on skills they can take home, the schools feeding scheme benefits from fresh organic produce, and the school grounds become a greener, productive and more vibrant space. At the same time, the project serves as a model for other schools, demonstrating how environmental education, community involvement, and sustainable food production can flourish together. Even a small patch of soil can spark lessons and empowerment, teaching children to care for the environment, grow their own food, and collaborate toward a shared goal. As the plants thrive, so too do the students’ knowledge, confidence, and sense of responsibility, a living reminder that every great change begins with just one seed.
