Sowing seeds of positive change
Each year, on 22 April, more than 190 countries take action to bring about behavioural change in honouring Earth Day, the environmental movement, and raising awareness of the climate crises and the need to protect the earth's natural resources for future generations.This April, in support of Earth Day, Capricorn Group employees in their role as Changemakers sowed seeds of positive change in a small community in Okahandja by planting a vegetable garden as part of the Christ’s Hope Namibia’s mass food gardening project.
The initiative was part of Capricorn’s sustainability drive and ongoing commitment to giving back and supporting the communities in which it operates.
More than 40 Capricorn employees participated in the outreach, which took place in Okahandja last Friday. The Changemakers spent the day getting their hands dirty by clearing land, preparing the soil, planting seeds, painting tyres and more. Through their hard work, the Changemakers managed to plant spinach, cabbage and onions that will support the centre’s feeding scheme that caters to over 90 children. This project will ensure that orphaned and vulnerable children at the centre and their families are supported to have access to healthy, nutrient-dense, and low-cost fruits and vegetables.
Group Executive: Brand & Corporate Affairs and Executive Officer: Capricorn Foundation, Marlize Horn, reiterated Capricorn’s commitment to giving back to communities not just in cash but in kind.
Track record
“Our Changemakers showed up in numbers to assist Christ’s Hope, and we are proud of their passion to create positive change. Vegetable gardening is an important method of securing a sustainable supply of nutritious food for most vulnerable communities and we are happy to be able to support the creation of this for Christ’s Hope,” she added.
Christ’s Hope International Namibia has a 17-year track record of caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. It provides sustainable support at ten care points located in Keetmanshoop, Rehoboth, Okahandja and Oshikuku to free children from the cycle of AIDS and poverty.
The Okahanja community garden will be supported by the Christ Hope team and centre staff, and the children at the centre will be honoured to maintain it with the staff. Nearby families with no income have also been identified to join to support the garden and benefit from the produce.
“The Capricorn Foundation is one of our sponsors for the centres throughout the country. Their commitment to come and assist us to develop this garden is more than we could have asked for. We are truly grateful for the support that we are receiving. The input of the Changemakers can ensure a lasting and sustainable impact on them, their surrounding communities, as well as our natural environment,” said Hannelie Turner, Christ’s Hope International Namibia’s Country Team Leader.