Earthchild Project (ECP) a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, is transforming school spaces into thriving hubs of nourishment and education. As the 2025 school year has begun, two flourishing school gardens which we launched in 2024 in Khayelitsha have been making a notable impact, supplementing daily school meals, and providing invaluable learning opportunities for young learners. Now, thanks to the generous support of Nevermined Diamonds (a long-standing supporter and donor of Earthchild Project), ECP is proud to announce the third upcoming school garden in Khayelitsha at Yomelela Primary School.
Food security remains a critical issue in South Africa, with many children depending on school feeding schemes for their primary meals. ECP’s school gardens directly address this challenge by supplying fresh, nutrient-rich produce to support daily meal programmes. Over the past few months, the gardens at Sakumlandela and Ntwasahlobo Primary Schools have yielded remarkable results:
● Over 160 kilograms of fresh vegetables harvested in a single month.
● 1,000 meals enriched daily through school feeding programmes.
● A diverse selection of crops: including spinach, carrots, tomatoes and herbs
These numbers reflect the tangible impact of ECP’s efforts, ensuring that children receive the nourishment they need to focus and thrive academically. However, the gardens provide more than just food, they serve as spaces of learning and empowerment. Teachers and learners have embraced these green spaces, finding peace and connection with nature amidst their daily routines.
“Our learners get to have a space of peace. I am one of the users of the garden where if I feel overwhelmed in my day, I can use the garden as a space where I take my five minutes of breathing. Besides being a nutritious place, it’s a place where you can find peace, wholesomeness, and just enjoy the love of nature.” – Teacher Nasiphi Matoni, Ntwasahlobo Primary School.
The upcoming Yomelela Primary School Garden is a significant step in ECP’s commitment to sustainable food production and environmental education. This initiative goes beyond cultivating vegetables; it empowers children with hands-on knowledge in organic farming, composting, and water conservation, skills that will benefit them for generations to come.
These gardens also promote biodiversity, reduce the carbon footprint of food supply chains, and instil environmental advocacy among learners.
In March 2025, the Yomelela garden will join our existing portfolio as a living example of how local actions can drive change.
We invite the public to follow our journey as we document the progress of our growing school garden projects. Stay connected for updates, impactful stories, and opportunities to support this transformative initiative.
Issued by: Janna Kretzmar, Director: Earthchild Project
For media enquiries: Mandy Abrahams, Marketing and Communications Manager, Earthchild Project media@earthchildproject.org or call +27 79 874 3827. Find out more about Earthchild Project www.earthchildproject.org, and Nevermined Diamonds www.nevermined-diamonds.com.