Even
though it's been over a month since our Grootbos visit, I'm still
reliving our time there - I had no idea it was possible to fit in so
much in 24 hours. I've shared the food, accommodation, and their Growing the Futures project with you - and now, perhaps one I need to pay the most attention to - Green Futures.
I
say "pay the most attention" because, to be honest - I am terrible with
plants. This fills me with great sadness, as I love them and adore
being surrounded by green life...but it is always somewhat short lived. I
buy plants, I even name them, love them, water them but it sadly never
lasts long. So, I was keen for a little visit to Green Futures, and to
see if any of the happy-plant-vibes would rub off on me.
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Green
Futures college give unemployed members of the local community a future
in the field of fynbos landscaping and conservation. Students attend classes on the premises with lecturers employed and a training curriculum. As part of their practical work, students
are involved in growing and caring for the plants that will ultimately
be sold and the funds generated reinvested into the project.
After
completing the course, students may be selected to become trainee
facilitators at the college :Nomvumiso went to do the facilitating
course and assessor's
course, and after that a Higher Diploma in Adult Basic Education and
Training (HDABET) for 3 years - she is now a qualified teacher. The
students and college also offer landscaping services - for more
information on this, and to support the college and students click here.
Wondering
around their garden of plants for sale, I wanted to give them a good
home - but knew, that sadly that home wouldn't be with me. So we walked
around, like kids in a candy store - rows and rows of ridiculously
cheap, indigenous plants around us, and filled the back seat with beautiful, indigenous plants to take back to my mom : costing us around R80. If you are ever in the area, buying from the nursery is reason enough to visit Green Futures.
Having
a group of skilled, trained, 'green-fingered' experts is also fantastic
for the Grootbos reserve - it ensures that the plants in the reserve
thrive and that species that may need a little more care, survive.
Win-win.
Note : We enjoyed our stay as guests of Grootbos - all views, opinions and images are my own.
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