Gardening project benefits the elderly

IN a bid to enhance the livelihoods and well-being of elderly people living with non-communicable diseases in Tsholotsho District, Matabeleland North Province, a non-profit organisation, SPA Community Trust has launched an innovative market gardening project.

The initiative, not only provides a sustainable source of income, but also promotes physical activity, social interaction and a sense of purpose among the elderly community members.

SPA Community Trust co-founder, Councillor Rophas Ndlovu, who is also the chairperson of Tsholotsho Rural District Council, said 240 families from Mcetshwa and Tshino villages in Ward Five are part of the group.

SPA Community Trust looks after the elderly suffering from diabetes, hypertension, stroke and dementia including children with living disabilities.

At Tshino village, 96 elderly people are running a thriving gardening project on a one-hectare piece of land. They planted vegetables in February after they were allocated virgin land, which they cleared on their own.

At Mcetshwa Village, the project is being run by 146 members. Presently, they are still clearing more land ahead of planting. The group has also planted 100 fruit trees, which were donated by the Ernest Maphepha Sibanda Foundation.

The grafted fruit trees include pawpaw, guava and citrus trees. Grafting or graftage is a horticultural technique whereby tissues of plants are joined so that they continue their growth together.

The upper part of the combined plant is called the scion while the lower part is called the rootstock. The success of this joining requires that the vascular tissues grow together.

**Tshino villagers folks work in their garden**

Instead of cross-pollinating two plants and producing a hybrid seed, grafted plants use the roots and the bottom portion of one plant (rootstock) and attach it to a tender shoot (scion) from the top portion of another plant.

“The project is meant to provide a financial cushion for these elderly people and at the same time act as a therapeutic session for them for the various ailments associated with old age. In each bed, we have 10 villagers and half of the vegetables will be for their own consumption while the other part will be for sale,” said Clr Ndlovu.

They have also established a greenhouse for seedling production.

Clr Ndlovu said for nutrients, they have resolved not to use chemicals and expensive fertiliser.

“We want to remain purely organic, we are making our own compost whose concept was started in Israel. The thrust is to remain as natural and local as possible,” he said.

One of the project leaders, Mrs Jest Sibanda (73), said they draw water from a community borehole.

“We are grateful to SPA Community Trust for this life-changing project, which will provide us with the much-needed income and we will also be able to meet some of our needs like buying medicine and paying school fees,” said Mrs Sibanda.

Another member, Mr Million Vundla (65) said he was looking forward to earning extra income once they start selling their produce.

“The little that we will get from selling the produce will have a huge impact on our lives. Already, we are witnessing a positive impact from this project as old people suffering non-communicable diseases since it keeps us active, which assists the body to stay alive and active,” he said.

Besides market gardening, the other scope of the project is to have a community hall, which they are already constructing. Upon completion, the hall will be used as a play centre for children in the village.

An office, built from mud and poles is already at the roof level and the chief builder is 80-year-old Mrs Simenyiwe Sibanda.