Our Eco Gardens grow more than just vegetables

Mandie Gericke • April 11, 2025

In the heart of Limpopo, where the sun rises over the bushveld and the soil tells stories of resilience, something beautiful is taking root — and it’s more than just spinach and tomatoes.

At Eco Children, we’ve always believed that education and environment go hand in hand. That belief comes to life in our school gardens — vibrant, living classrooms where children are not just learning to plant food, but growing confidence, knowledge, and a deep connection to the land.


🌱 Sowing the Seeds of Sustainability

Each garden starts with a patch of soil and a whole lot of hope. Through our garden program, we partner with schools to establish productive vegetable gardens that are cared for by the learners themselves, alongside their teachers and community members.


The goal? To promote food security, environmental education, and hands-on learning — all while supporting the nutritional needs of learners.  From composting and water-wise gardening to understanding the life cycle of a plant, children don’t just read about these things — they live them.


🍅 More Than Meals: A Lesson in Life

Yes, these gardens help supplement school feeding schemes with fresh, healthy produce like cabbage, carrots, and beets. But the true impact goes far beyond the plate.


Learners gain:

Skills in agriculture and teamwork

Pride in nurturing something from seed to harvest

Respect for the environment and sustainable living

Knowledge, they take home, sharing what they learn with their families


👨🏾‍🌾 A Whole Community Grows

The ripple effects are incredible. Parents become involved. Community members volunteer. And soon, the garden becomes a space where everyone learns and contributes.

In some schools, surplus produce from the gardens is sold to support school needs or reinvested into expanding the project — a small but mighty example of community-led development.


🌍 Growing Hope, One Seed at a Time

In a region where challenges like poverty, food insecurity, and climate change are very real, these gardens are a quiet revolution. They teach our children that change doesn’t always come from far away — sometimes, it starts with your hands in the dirt and a seed of an idea.


So yes — we’re growing vegetables. But more importantly, we’re growing leaders, caretakers, and changemakers for tomorrow.

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June 30, 2025
At Eco Children, we believe in the power of passionate individuals to plant seeds of change — in our environment, in our classrooms, and in our communities. That’s why we are proud to shine a spotlight on someone who embodies all those values and more: Patrick Ndlovu, our Employee of the Month for June. Patrick serves as an Environmental Educator at Mahlathi Primary School, where he plays an instrumental role in educating and inspiring the next generation of eco-conscious leaders. With a calm, humble presence and a deep-rooted commitment to environmental awareness, Patrick is more than just a teacher — he is a mentor, a role model, and a steward of positive change.
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At Eco Children, we believe that true change is nurtured through connection, compassion, and collaboration. We had the immense honour of welcoming TELUS to Makwetse Primary School—a visit that left a lasting impression not only on our learners and staff, but on everyone who took part. Close to 200 guests from TELUS arrived at the school, greeted by eager learners and a sense of excitement that buzzed through the air. What followed was a morning full of hands-on, purposeful activity that reflected TELUS’s deep commitment to giving back and creating lasting impact in the communities they visit. The day began with environmental projects that are close to our hearts. TELUS volunteers eagerly joined our learners in planting trees and seedlings, laying down roots that will one day provide shade, nourishment, and a symbol of the growth we aim to inspire through our programmes. With care and dedication, they also helped paint and refurbish our keyhole gardens, breathing new life into these vital spaces that serve as educational and nutritional resources for our school. One of the most heartwarming aspects of the visit was the way TELUS volunteers connected with our Grade R learners through fun, engaging, and interactive activities. Storytelling, games, and creative play filled the air with laughter and learning, demonstrating the value of human connection across generations and cultures. As the day continued, the atmosphere shifted to the school field for a spirited soccer match—a highlight for many learners and guests alike. The game brought together students, staff, and TELUS volunteers in a shared moment of joy, teamwork, and camaraderie. It was more than just a game; it was a celebration of community, togetherness, and mutual respect. The generosity of the TELUS team extended beyond their time and effort. In a touching gesture, each learner at Makwetse Primary received an individual goodie bag, filled with thoughtful items that brought smiles to young faces and created a sense of being seen and valued. Moreover, TELUS made a significant financial contribution of $5,000 to Eco Children. This generous donation will go a long way in supporting our ongoing work in environmental education, early childhood development, and community upliftment. We are incredibly grateful for this investment in our shared vision of a brighter, greener future. We would also like to extend our deepest thanks to Kapama Private Game Reserve, who not only hosted the TELUS group during their stay but also played a crucial role in facilitating their visit to Makwetse Primary School. Their ongoing partnership and unwavering support continue to make opportunities like this possible. We are proud to work alongside such dedicated collaborators who share our values and commitment to lasting impact. As we reflect on this unforgettable day, we are filled with gratitude—for the time, energy, and generosity of the TELUS team; for the support of Kapama; and for the joy and curiosity of our learners, who continue to inspire us every day. At Eco Children, we know that transformation doesn't happen in isolation. It is through partnerships, shared values, and collective action that we are able to plant the seeds of change—both literally and figuratively.
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At Eco Children, we offer a unique opportunity to enrich your travel experience while making a real difference. Our Community Tours invite you to witness firsthand the impact of education, conservation, and community development in action—and to play a part in it. We currently work with nine primary schools, impacting over 5,000 learners from Grade R to Grade 7. Through our programmes, we improve school infrastructure, introduce innovative educational resources, and promote sustainable living—all while encouraging a deep appreciation for the natural world.
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