Nurturing sustainability and young minds in acfa’s vegetable garden

A Child for All (ACFA) has an expanding vegetable garden at the Zorokoro Children’s Complex. Thanks to a new grant focusing on a garden and environmental initiative, ACFA has not only expanded the garden but has also retained a consultant gardener and teacher for the children at the ACFA school. The consultant focuses on conservation, environmental education and ecological issues. The grant has also allowed ACFA to grow many vegetables including lettuce, celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and more. The children continue to learn how to take care of the garden, as well as the fifteen sheep that cohabit in the Complex. This is one of the many ways ACFA supports sustainability. ACFA has its own well water and its buildings all are operated with solar power.

This past spring, the children helped harvest vegetables, including dozens of juicy green cucumbers, which were enjoyed in meals cooked on-site. In this way, ACFA’s garden is both a learning experience for the children and an opportunity for ACFA to grow its own food. The staff works with a nutritionist to make sure the children have a healthy diet. Nutrition is one of the pillars of ACFA.

Not only is ACFA’s vegetable garden a source of learning and nourishment alike, but creating the opportunity for our children to connect with nature is paramount to both their physical and mental health. Most of the children who live at the Zorokoro Children’s Complex were previously living on the street, or faced neglect at home due to inadequate care and support from their guardians. With your support, we can continue to provide basic necessities and education and enrichment opportunities like our vegetable garden.