Stillerus Food Garden

It takes willingness, committment, money and courage to help others.

South African communities are in crisis!

The Covid19 pandemic is one threat, but the extreme poverty and the lack of basic food is a greater disaster for many of our community members.

I am situated on a small farm in the beautiful Garden Route area of South Africa and I have the opportunity of joining hands with a few willing and committed local workers in setting up a food garden to assist families in their plight against the food shortage and poverty.

A subsistence wage to these three men, actually equates to supporting 3 wives,9 children,12 parents and goodness knows how many animals, besides the extra resources that we can generate as a willing team working together, for the common good of others in need.

After considering this and the serious post lock down economic affects on our communities, I must at least try and DO something more than simply 'stay home'.

Sooo...this is the start, I am hoping this small beginning will develop quickly so we may have relevant resources to offer. The plan is to not only feed the poor, but to help by example and mentorship to create food gardens within the local communities that can be ongoing and sustainably productive. I really believe handouts should ultimately lead to powerful and effective handups.

We will meet at the appropriate time with the local authorities to collaborate and identify the needs of the people, so as to responsibily and effectively alleviate their suffering in any way we possibly can manage.

There is a small cottage on the farm that I can offer to safely accommodate the three men willing to roll up their sleeves and be the basic work force.

Along with the work for the men, I also have a few sewing machines which may be used to help their women. Mothers, sisters and daughters can create masks for the current demand. I also have a number of catering pots and a large gasburner that can be utilized to feed the more vulnerable.These women may work within the safety of their own homes while we are in lock down.

Besides the seeming time lag as far as relief funds are concerned, it seems the current economic situation will not be resolved in a short period and post lock down repercussions for small local businesses may continue to be strained for some time.

We need to begin a food garden asap.

However,as I am also on lockdown and have no current income, I do not have the money to pay these men nor to fund the basic supplies like seeds, hardware etc to set up a food garden, chickens or aquaponics.

No work, no pay, no food, this is our immediate reality called 'crisis'.

We have the willingness and are committed to work, we are committed to teach the people to 'fish' or is that 'plant', but we need financial help please.

All donations will be humbly accepted and appreciated.

Thank you.

May God give us all the courage to love.

Pearl Kimmel

email: [email protected] or [email protected]