Operation Hunger’s initial involvement in the Eastern Cape Province’s community of Mqanduli by way of funding and training locals to establish and tend three fenced gardens is steadily bearing fruit. The community has now, 2 years later, established a small grocery shop from the proceeds of their agricultural endeavours, thus further economically empowering community members by way of profit sharing and to some extent, the community as a whole.
Grateful stakeholders and those directly involved in the Community Garden Projects and subsequently the retail extension, were able to afford school uniforms for their children as well as celebrate the festive season in some new clothes and festive meals. Furthermore, Operation Hunger’s Community Garden Projects in the same area have been able to raise funds to purchase a deep freezer which has enabled the community volunteers to start safely stock and sell meat produce and cool drinks within the community. These are ripe markets for the small scale retailers as the community members, now clients, are able to buy meat locally rather than travelling long distances.
The foundations are now set for future income generating projects as well as the sustainability of other non-profit and humanitarian projects such as the local feeding scheme, which is also benefiting directly from this garden project. Operation Hunger will continue to empower individuals, households and the communities around Mqanduli to fight poverty through volunteerism, education and empowerment.
