PROVINCE OF KWAZULU NATAL; ISIFUNDAZWE SAKWAZULU NATALI; PROVINSIE KWAZULU NATAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; UMNYANGO WEMFUNDO; DEPARTEMENT VAN

ONDERWYS

Box 2; Mt. Edgecombe; 4300 1 Spire Street; Stonebridge; 4068 Tel: 031 502 6325; Fax: 031 502 6324
Enquiries: Imibuzo: Navrae: L P Swartz Reference: Inkomba: Verwysing: Date: Usuku: Datum: 24 March 2011

Govin ELET Chirag, Marc, Nick - UKZN Guys, at the outset let me place on record my sincere thanks and appreciation to you and your orginasations for giving my schools, viz. MLS Blackburn and Siphosethu this opportunity to participate in the pilot programme: Feeding the Self. I believe that the integration of the garden project into the curriculum will definitely improve learning as the learners become active participants in the learning process. Sincerely yours

L P SWARTZ Superintendent of Education

1 December 2011

To whom it may concern,

Feeding the Self ran a workshop for Diakonia Council of Churches this year, as part of their annual Environmental Justice course. Establishing a food garden was one of the many topics covered during this course.

The intention of the workshop run at Diakonia was to create a true ecosystem; a space which thrives in symbiosis with its inhabitants. By trying to bring birds, butterflies, botany, aesthetics and the kitchen together within the garden space, the Apotheosis team aimed to encourage constant engagement with the environment as it developed and adapted along with the people who work here.

Such a garden was established at the Diakonia Centre, and we believe that this has had a beneficial effect on both the participants and the Centre as a whole.

The majority of workshops do not adequately capture the attention, interest or participation of those involved. This is primarily due to tired and outdated methods of approach focusing on droning lectures and perhaps the occasional uninspired PowerPoint presentation. At such workshops, often the most looked forward to aspect is the tea break and the small sandwiches it brings. The workshop Apotheosis designed for Diakonia was arranged around practical demonstrations. Instead of talking about things, we did them with small groups of participants.

During the workshop, the Apotheosis crew and participants ended up digging & planting about 20 square metres of indigenous plants (Obtained from the Silverglen nursery) as well as a wide assortment of herb and flower seeds. Each participant was provided with a copy of the master project guide, a seed kit and planting materials. Posters and similar informative material were also left in the spots that had been reinvigorated. The workshop itself took place almost exclusively outside, except
A transformed society actively working for social justice. Umphakathioguqukileosebenzelaubulungiswabezenhlaloyabantu

for a wrap up session of about half an hour at the end. The Apotheosis team covered a lot of discussion simply by talking about what they were doing, how they had learned what they knew, prompted by carefully designed materials put up in the work spaces. From the day of the workshop, everyone who came can start a garden wherever they want with virtually no requirements.

Within a few months, staffs on their break who feel that their packed lunch is looking a bit unappetizing are able to spice it up with a quick trip to their office herb garden. Furthermore, now that the flowers and plants have started blooming, it fosters a welcoming environment that is integral to Diakonias way of thinking. We are proud of our new garden, and trust that others will also benefit from this organisations services.

Yours sincerely,

Karen Read Programmes Manager Diakonia Council of Churches

A transformed society actively working for social justice. Umphakathioguqukileosebenzelaubulungiswabezenhlaloyabantu

WESSA Eco-Schools Programme

05 November 2012

Umgeni Valley 1 Karkloof Rd. Howick 3290 Tel.: 033 330 3931 ext 145

REFERENCE: FEEDING THE SELF I had the pleasure of meeting Chirag Patel and the team from Feeding the Self early in September 2012. Chirag and Nick Molver approached the team from the WESSA Eco-Schools Programme to join their Arbour Month Networking Event at The Birches Pre-Primary School, and straight away, it was clear that they were a passionate and dynamic team who care greatly for the work that they had set out to do. The WESSA Eco-Schools KZN team had a stand at the very well-organised Arbour Month event, at which a number of individuals from other schools, governmental, and non-governmental organizations were in attendance. It was an excellent event that served as a wonderful platform for networking with other organizations with similar values and objectives as that of the WESSA Eco-Schools Programme. We have continued to liaise with the Feeding the Self team through their generous donation of more than 100 trees to Eco-Schools in KwaZulu-Natal, and through meetings regarding possible partnerships in the future. We look forward to continuing a relationship with Feeding the Self in supporting schools and communities in and around KwaZulu-Natal. Kind regards,

__________________________ Charissa Jaganath Eco-Schools Programme Manager: Durban and Coastal KZN

In partnership with