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Towards a greener future Young gardener cultivates change
A Grade 10 learner in Walvis Bay has turned her passion for gardening into an inspiring project that not only benefits her mental health but also provides a source of pocket money.
At just 15 years old, Martha Kanyemba, a Grade 10 learner at Duinesig High School in Walvis Bay, is already making a meaningful impact in her community through her passion for gardening.
As the founder of Etuhole’s Gardening Project, she has turned a simple school subject into a thriving initiative that feeds, inspires and sustains those around her.
Martha launched the project in November last year, motivated by her love for plants and her interest in agriculture, which she studies at school. What began as a way to gain practical experience for her coursework soon grew into something much bigger.
“We grow vegetables like spinach, potatoes, cabbage and tomatoes,” she explains.
“I sell them to the community, mostly to neighbours, and some of the produce is donated to soup kitchens and my school.”
Green wonders
With the support of her father, Martha tends to her garden mainly on weekends, spending up to two hours planting, watering and maintaining crops. She sees gardening as not only a source of income but also a way to relax and keep a positive mindset.
“Gardening helps with mental health, reduces stress and boosts your energy,” she says.
The Etuhole Gardening Project received a boost from the Youth Climate Action Fund, which enabled Martha to construct her garden and expand production. “The funds I received helped me build my garden, and now I’m making money from it, which can also help with my school needs,” she explains.
Currently, due to the winter season, the garden mainly produces spinach and tomatoes, with spinach being especially popular among customers because it grows quickly and is in high demand.
Try something new
Looking to the future, Martha hopes to expand the garden further and involve more people in the work, including family members like her cousin, who already helps from time to time.
She also has an encouraging message for other youngsters: “It’s always good to start with something like gardening or come up with something that keeps you calm and has a positive effect on you. Just try something new.”
Through her dedication, Martha is showing that age is no barrier to making a difference and that a small garden, nurtured with love and purpose, can yield far more than just vegetables.
As the founder of Etuhole’s Gardening Project, she has turned a simple school subject into a thriving initiative that feeds, inspires and sustains those around her.
Martha launched the project in November last year, motivated by her love for plants and her interest in agriculture, which she studies at school. What began as a way to gain practical experience for her coursework soon grew into something much bigger.
“We grow vegetables like spinach, potatoes, cabbage and tomatoes,” she explains.
“I sell them to the community, mostly to neighbours, and some of the produce is donated to soup kitchens and my school.”
Green wonders
With the support of her father, Martha tends to her garden mainly on weekends, spending up to two hours planting, watering and maintaining crops. She sees gardening as not only a source of income but also a way to relax and keep a positive mindset.
“Gardening helps with mental health, reduces stress and boosts your energy,” she says.
The Etuhole Gardening Project received a boost from the Youth Climate Action Fund, which enabled Martha to construct her garden and expand production. “The funds I received helped me build my garden, and now I’m making money from it, which can also help with my school needs,” she explains.
Currently, due to the winter season, the garden mainly produces spinach and tomatoes, with spinach being especially popular among customers because it grows quickly and is in high demand.
Try something new
Looking to the future, Martha hopes to expand the garden further and involve more people in the work, including family members like her cousin, who already helps from time to time.
She also has an encouraging message for other youngsters: “It’s always good to start with something like gardening or come up with something that keeps you calm and has a positive effect on you. Just try something new.”
Through her dedication, Martha is showing that age is no barrier to making a difference and that a small garden, nurtured with love and purpose, can yield far more than just vegetables.
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