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.

Eco Village Sign

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Walking Wild 4 Girls 2025

July 21, 2025
The 4th edition of Walking Wild 4 Girls took place from the 6th to the 10th of July 2025, in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, and yet again it was another adventure filled with plenty of walking, learning and laughing. What made this year special, was the people with whom I shared the journey with: Gary Freeman, who hosted us at his camp and lead the trails, Percy, for whom I raise funds for, Mark, my brother and my Dad, Derek, Tas Savage and Nats Howes from Kateka Safari & Wellness, who have supported this initiative right from the very beginning, and my aunt, Debby, came out from the UK to join us for our time in the bush. This year was slightly different. We walked in the mornings, then would return to camp for an incredibly satisfying lunch, prepared by Gary himself, and then after a little nap we headed out into the bush at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon for another walk and sundowners.

Holiday Workshops with Eco Children

By Mandie Gericke • July 17, 2025
When the school term ends and learners head home for the holidays, Eco Children steps in to keep the energy, curiosity, and joy alive — through our much-loved Holiday Workshops. These workshops offer more than just a way to keep children occupied during the break — they are a space for growth, discovery, and connection with nature. Our dedicated environmental educators play a key role in bringing these workshops to life. With passion and creativity, they design engaging, nature-based activities that spark curiosity and inspire young minds. Whether it’s digging in the soil, learning how plants grow, or identifying insects and animal tracks, each activity is carefully planned to nurture a love for the environment. Children get the chance to experience first-hand what it means to care for the earth — all while having fun, getting messy, and staying active! In between games and gardening, learners enjoy energetic soccer matches, educational challenges, and creative expression — all under the guidance of Eco Children’s caring team. These moments aren’t just about play; they’re about building confidence, teamwork, and a sense of purpose.

Celebrating Excellence: Patrick Ndlovu, our June Employee of the Month

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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