About 1.5 km from the nearest market, covering a plot slightly smaller than half a hectare, is the garden of the Sources public school. Out of the 224 students who attend the school, from April to December about 50 are involved in the garden work, led by 6 teachers. In particular, three classes participate in the project.
In addition, one child and two teachers from the kindergarten, attended in total by 45 children, have also participated in the garden activities.
Kids go to classes on biodiversity and environmental education, they attend cooking classes and organize events such as the Terra Madre Day.
Corn, green beans and other traditional crops such as moringa and ‘agnossi nkwac (a wild onion) are grown in the garden, which includes a well which supplies water. The students produce seeds and manure from chicken guano. Agro-ecological products are also made: for instance, a mix against caterpillars is made by macerating tobacco with the addition of soap (400 grams for 4 liters water). The obtained mix is left to rest for about one day. Once it is ready, it is diluted in 10 liters of water and sprayed or applied with a brush on the leaves.
The garden was created thanks to the cooperation between local communities and a few NGOs, foundations and associations (including Hitip www.hitip.org and Avodds). The creation of the school garden has been extremely important, especially given its educational role for young people who grow in urban contexts. Thanks to the garden activities, students can understand and safeguard their gastronomic culture, thus contributing to the respect and protection of the environment.
Area
Kolbisson village, Madagascar neighborhood, city of Yaoundé, Mfoundi Department, Central Region
Coordinator
Louis Francis Sandjon Wandji
This garden is twinned with the Trieste School Gardens, part of the Italian “Orti in Condotta” network:
www.slowfood.it/educazione/orti-in-condotta/?fwp_regioni_orti=friuli-venezia-giulia