J.J. Rhode Primary School, Elsenburg, Stellenbosch 26 March 2025

J.J. Rhode Primary School, Elsenburg, Stellenbosch 26 March 2025

On March 26, 2025, Agri Vision Foundation (NPC) initiated an outreach at J.J. Rhode Primary School in Elsenburg, collaborating with Free to Serve, an NGO that runs a weekly children’s program, to empower young learners through agricultural education. A 1m x 2m demonstration garden was established, where students were taught “Farming God’s Way” principles, equipping them to grow vegetables using minimal resources and fostering self-reliance.

The next day, the children enthusiastically took ownership, expanding the garden and planting all seedlings independently. Follow-up visits on April 9 and May 14, 2025, revealed remarkable progress, with several boys assisting in marking out a new 3m x 5m garden, planned for planting two weeks later. This initiative provides learners with practical skills to cultivate their own gardens, addressing food insecurity while nurturing independence and confidence. It also strengthens community bonds with the school and Free to Serve, laying a foundation for sustained collaboration.

Agri Vision Foundation remains committed to mentoring the Elsenburg community, ensuring the new garden’s development and providing ongoing support to promote long-term sustainability. This project reflects our mission to foster leadership, entrepreneurship, and core values through agriculture, inspiring lasting transformation in the community and serving as a model for future initiatives to empower vulnerable populations through sustainable agricultural practices that uplift and transform lives.