Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Mams women pitch in to fight poverty

from the Independent Online

By Mogomotsi Magome

In an attempt to tackle poverty in township schools, a group of Mamelodi women has begun cultivating vegetable gardens.

The principals of Tlakukani and Mvelezo primary schools gave the women permission to establish the gardens, which will help to support the schools' feeding schemes.

Tlakukani Primary School principal James Maluleke said he was delighted when the women approached him about the project, as he, too, was disturbed by the level of poverty.

"The land at our school was just lying idle and they came up with a way of using it.

"Now all we need are resources to make sure the project is successful," he said.
Maluleke said a priority was to drill a borehole for the garden.

The women are currently using the schools' water taps and Maluleke said this would increase the school's water bill substantially.

Margaret Mathebula, a mother who was a pupil at Tlakukani 36 years ago, said she was encouraged when she got a positive response from other women when she proposed the idea.

"Most women here are not working, so they have time to help children in the community," she said.

The idea was for the children to take vegetables home to ensure there was dinner at home and maybe even enough for their lunchboxes the following day, she said.

The women have also received help from older male members of the community, who would also benefit from the project.

James Mogagabe said the project would serve as an opportunity for him to improve his health.

"I have been advised by my doctor not to sit around doing nothing. This will help to keep me fit and at the same time help the children in our township," he said.

Since the women were all unemployed, they have appealed to the community to donate vegetable seeds and agricultural implements.

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