Service with a Smile! by Student Blogger Kalvin Larson

During our time at the Gugulethu township, us students worked to create a food forest for the local elementary school Lehlohonolo. The people welcomed us into their community. When we arrived at the school, we were welcomed by Mr. V, and Nomonday. Both are faculty of the school. We were briefed on how we will be helping and the groups we would work in. At first, I did not know what to expect. I thought this would be a very difficult and hard working day, yet I was wrong. As soon as we got to work and I heard Mr. V’s laugh I knew this would be something to look forward to every day. 

We were first tasked to dig a massive hole for a Hügelkultur. Some students worked on that while myself and two other students worked with a machete chopping up some compost. Once the Hügelkultur was dug, you must fill it with dried debris. The purpose of a Hügelkultur is to make the soil enriched to create large biodiversity among the microorganisms. Then we ripped up cardboard and placed it in the bed, then topped that with the green debris. Finally, the bed was topped with compost to finish off and make the raised bed plantable. In addition to the Hügelkultur, all of the teams were required to redesign one space. Some chose the classroom, some chose the kitchen, and some chose the thille play area. While we did not have time to follow through with our ideas, we each cleaned and organized the space so that Mr. V, and Nomonday could arrange the space to their liking. 

When working there was a fence separating the garden from the street. Everyday, through the fence, the children would peek through and talk and giggle with us. There was one particular troublemaker, Matthew. This boy was always laughing and trying to come and play with us. On occasion I would find wild nasturtium growing like a weed in the garden. Before throwing in the compost, I picked some and gave it to Matthew. Because of its peppery taste he immediately spit it out. But he continuously asked for more. Whenever there was an edible plant going in the compost, I would give him some to try. And while he never seemed to like any of them, the opportunity of trying something new always made him smile. 

While our time at the garden was short, we transformed the space. For me, it was difficult leaving the space that we had worked so hard on. But this community will be feeding off of the crops grown for years. I hope little Matthew gets to eat some of the delicious butter lettuce that was planted. Knowing  that all of the students at Lehlohonolo get to experience having fresh food on their plates makes all of the sweat and back aches worth it.