Back on Track

Themba, Tony and Stephen proudly display some of the tomatoes harvested and ready to be sold.

 A few months ago a violent storm damaged the tunnels at the Carryou Ministries' farming programme at Vleikop.
 The damage caused, seriously curtailed food production for the Elandsvlei and Toekomsrus Drop-in Centres.

Storm damage

 "We were able to limp along, but couldn't produce the quantity of crops grown in the past," says Stephen Ngakane, manager at the facility. "We also faced water problems."

Money

 As always, finding money to make the repairs and get activities back on course was a problem, until Carryou Co-Founder, Tony Jamison, stepped in and personally provided the more than R20 000 required.
 "When children are in need, I cannot stand idly and do nothing," he said.
 Recent heavy rains and hot weather resulted in a never-ending battle with weeds, and this week Stephen and Themba, a volunteer from nearby, were hard at work, digging out the invading plants and preparing the ground for the planting of winter crops.

Harvesting

Planning the planting of winter crops

 In the meantime they continue to harvest and sell tomatoes.
 "We intend to plant spinach, onions, cabbage and carrots," says Tony, who is now working in close co-operation with Stephen.

The war against weeds never ends!

Down! But definitely not out!

The Carryou Ministry farming project at Vleikop has had to face a number of obstacles recently.
 Two violent wind storms resulted in extensive damage to one of the tunnels. But despite the odds stacked against them, the team, under the watchful eye of Stephen Ngakane, has continued to produce enough food to supply all of Carryou's feeding programmes, in addition to producing a surplus that was directed to needy families in the community.

 "We produced record quantities of vegetables like spinach, tomatoes and beetroot," says Ngakane. "When it comes to feeding children, you cannot allow anything to get in the way."

Costs

 The cost to repair the tunnels runs into thousands of rands - money Carryou simply does not have available at the moment.
 "We will also have to wait until the end of the growing season," says Stephen. "Because repairs will entail removing the netting that forms the walls and roof of the structure, leaving the crops inside vulnerable to the attention of neighbouring cattle and goats."

 The current situation is inconvenient and makes much of the work awkward and uncomfortable, but winter crops are in the ground and tending to them goes on unabated.
 "The need for the food we produce, remains," says Stephen. "We cannot let anything get in the way."

Waiting for funding

 Lesiba Mmethi, HR Officer at Carryou Ministry

Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministries General Manager and Cecile Kirk, Chairmain of Umshini Consultants.

 People in the Vleikop area involved with the Carryou Ministries Farming Programme are eagerly waiting to hear whether an application for training, funded by Agri SETA will be approved.
 The initiative was put in place by Cecile Kirk, Chairman of Umshini Consultants, who will be organising and running the Farm Workers Training Course if approval is granted.
 "Twenty five local community members, who have already been selected, will be trained in crop production at our Vleikop farming site," says Lesiba Mmethi , Human Resources Officer at Carryou Ministry. "Of those the majority are women. Preference was given to volunteers already working on the programme, but other people will also be involved."

Feed own families

 The thirty day-long course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to grow vegetables to feed their own families and sell excess production to generate further income.
 "Depending on future funding, we may be able to employ some of the graduates permanently at the Carryou Ministry Farming Programme," says Lesiba. "In the meantime we're holding thumbs and waiting."

Can you help? Please!

"I look at the land lying unused and it makes me sad." - Stephen Ngakane

Unrealized potential!

 As has been reported before, Carryou Ministry has a farming project at Vleikop, on the outskirts of Randfontein, that was started late last year.
 Vegetables are grown in two tunnels, built and erected by Carryou staff members, with financial aid from the US Government. The land is part of a ten-year lease and, on the property is a house, where, in the future, vulnerable children will receive care and shelter.
 "The programme has so far been a resounding success," says Stephen Ngakane, manager of the project. "Much has been achieved. We have harvested both summer and winter crops and supplied cabbages, carrots, beetroot and onions to not only Carryou's feeding schemes in Toekomsrus and Elandsvlei but also been able to help needy members of the local community.
 "The farming project has provided employment to many of the poor and we have been able to slowly develop and upgrade our facilities. For example, we have installed tanks and an irrigation scheme," he says.
 "But we are only using a small percentage of the land and that is enormously frustrating. There is so much more we could do and so many more people we could help, if we had access to more agricultural knowledge and resources. I look at the land lying unused and it makes me sad.
 "We are need to find farmers and organisations who can provide us with the skills, advice and resources we need for this project to reach full potential and become self-sustaining," says Ngakane.
 Can you help? Are you a farmer who can offer advice? Do you know someone who can help?
 If so, please call Carryou Ministry General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso at 011-412-2013. Your help is needed.

An update from Vleikop

The Department of Health was there offering free testing and screening facilities to the local community. The programme is part of a partnership Carryou Ministry has with the Gauteng Department of Health.

 There is plenty going on at Vleikop, the site of Carryou Ministry's agricultural project.

 We popped in this week to take a few pictures.

Free testing and screening is offered for a variety of conditions.

Winter crops that will be used to provide food for Carryou's feeding schemes, are in the ground and doing well.

Farming project fills many mouths

Stephen Ngakane and a new crop of tomatoes

  The Carryou Ministry farming venture At Vleikop, on the outskirts of Randfontein, has been a roaring success. The summer harvest is drawing to a close and winter crops are now in the ground.
 "Not only were we able to provide fresh, healthy, vegetables to feeding programmes run by Carryou Ministry but we also supplied cabbages, spinach, beetroot and carrots to a nearby creche and to around 60 members of the local community, who assist in the vegetable garden," says caretaker and overseer, Stephen Ngakane.
 "It is my goal to be even better and produce more this year. All the vegetables are grown organically, using cow manure supplied to us by a neighbour and I can honestly say, we have succeeded in making a positive difference in the lives of many.
 "Many of the crops we hope to harvest in winter are planted and, as we've learned a great deal since starting this programme, I am confident we will do even better this year.
 "It is my hope and dream that soon, we will be able to farm more of the land we have, as there is a lot of poverty in the area and a great need to provide food for the hungry," says Ngakane.

More progress at Vleikop

The recently-built tank stand

 Work and progress continues at the Carryou Ministry Vleikop Agricultural project.
 Vegetables are being harvested and supplied to our feeding programmes, ensuring children get fresh, nutritious and health food. In addition, a new tank stand has been built and another water tank will soon be erected to supply irrigation to the tunnels, even in the dry seasons.
 A secure fence has been erected around the house on the property to provide additional security.
 "We are forging ahead and starting to see the fruits of our hard work," says Rev Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager.

Security was beefed up.

The first crops!

Stephen Ngakane, manager of the Carryou Ministry farming project at Vleikop

 All the hard work of the past few months is starting to bear fruit - or in this case vegetables!
 Carryou Ministry was recently given a ten-year lease on a small holding at Vleikop on the outskirts of Randfontein and staff members erected two tunnels, as part of a farming project that will provide food for the organisation's feeding schemes, generate income from the sale of surplus produce and provide employment, training and skills for a small number of unemployed people. "We received an aid grant from the US Government to help get the project underway," says Rev Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager.
 Seed was provided by the Randfontein Municipality and private sponsors, and members of the surrounding community assist as volunteers as part of the projects.

 "We've harvested some spinach so far," says Stephen Ngakane, manager at Vleikop, "and in the next couple of weeks will be ready to pick onions, carrots, beetroot and cabbages."

The first sods are turned at Vleikop

Randfontein Town Council donates seeds. (L-R) Thembi Matuwane, MMC Social Services, Brenda Mahuma, MMC Public Safety, Sylvia Thebenare, Executive Mayor, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager, Pam and Tony Jamison, Carryou Ministry founders.

 There were scenes of joy at Carryou Ministry's Vleikop Farming project this morning when the Randfontein Municipality handed over seeds so the first crops can be planted.
 The occasion, although a day early, was part of the local Town Council's Nelson Mandela birthday celebrations and a number of dignitaries, Including Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare, were present.
 Also there were Carryou Ministry founders, Pam and Tony Jamison, as was a large number of members of the surrounding community who came to sign up for a farm-worker training programme (see the previous post).
 "It is fitting that we are here today to start a project that will provide both employment, training and food for many," said Carryou Ministry, General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, "especially when we bear in mind how important planting and nurturing a seed was to Madiba. He wrote, while on Robben Island, gardening was the only thing the prisoners had control over."

Rev. Lawrence Mabaso and Umshini Consultants Chairman, Cecile Kirk

 "This is a very important project that must be taken seriously by the community," said Randfontein Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare. "We must remember this was barren land that through the efforts and support of many people will soon produce food.
 "A family of four can be fed from a piece of ground the size of a household door," she said, "so just imagine how many people these two tunnels will feed! We, as the municipality, will do everything in our power to support you."
 Cecile Kirk, Chairman of Umshini Consultants, who will be organising and running the Farm Workers Training Course, explained how it would work and what is required.
 And then, to the joy and delight of all present, the first soil-sods were turned and the first seeds were planted.

Members of the community register for the Farm Workers Training Course

The community becomes involved

A small token of appreciation was presented to Pam Jamison

Councillors Thembi Matuwane and Tshidi Kimane, join Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare and get stuck in.

An opportunity to get trained as a farm worker

There is good news for people living in the Vleikop, Dannydale area of Randfontein!
 On Thursday, 17 July 2014 at 09h00, Carryou Ministry will be holding a special event to commemorate and be part of Nelson Mandela's 67 minutes of Community Service. It will take place at Plot No 15, Acacia Avenue, Dannydale.
 "At the same time we will be looking for people interested in being part of an eight month-long farm workers' training programme," says Carryou Ministry, General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso.
 "A small stipend will be paid."
 To be considered for the training programme, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Have passed grade 12 or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 
• Physically disabled people will also qualify
• All races will be accepted and welcomed
• Both young and old up to 70 years will qualify if healthy.
• People who qualify should live in the Vleikop or Dannydale area

Anyone interested can provide their details at our offices at 13A Park Street South, Randfontein or can submit them to our tenant, Mr Stephen Ngakane, at Plot 15, Acacia Avenue, Dannydale, Westonaria.
You can also call 011 412 2013 during office hours for further details.

How to get there:

Take the road that runs past the Lafarge Cement factory. Cross over the stop street at Highway Spar and continue straight on down the hill past the old age home on the left. Turn left into Acacia Avenue.

And we're done!

 After much hard work by the Carryou team, who built and erected the tunnels themselves, the structures are now complete.
 "We are delighted," says Carryou Ministry General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso. "The guys did a wonderful job.
 "We are in the process of trying to arrange some training in the relevant farming methods and are looking forward to being able to supply fresh vegetables to our feeding programmes."

Almost done!

Both tunnels will be completed within the next few days and preparation for planting will begin!

Cable theft at Vleikop fails to stop work on the tunnels

 On Friday morning last week, Stephen Ngakane (55), caretaker at Carryou Ministry's new Vleikop farming facility awoke to discover 16 metres of electricity cable had been stolen and they were without power.

 "This is the fifth time in less than a year that the cables have been stolen," says Ngakane. "The thieves switched off the power at the box in the street and then dug up the underground cables."

 The theft is inconvenient and costly but it hasn't stopped work on the construction of the tunnels.

 "We have rented a generator and work continues," says Stephen. "We have children to feed."

Work on the tunnels is underway!

 Carryou Ministry was recently given a ten-year lease on a small holding at Vleikop on the outskirts of Randfontein and work on two tunnels, in which a variety of vegetables will be grown, started this week.
 "We received an aid grant from the US Government to help get the project underway," says Rev Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager.
 When completed, the farming project will provide food for Carryou Ministry's feeding schemes, generate income from the sale of surplus produce and provide employment, training and skills for a small number of unemployed people.
 If all goes according to plan, both tunnels will be fully erected by the end of this week.

Growing food to feed the hungry

Carryou Ministry was recently given a ten-year lease on a small holding at Vleikop on the outskirts of Randfontein.
 "We are deeply grateful and will be using the property to cultivate and supply vegetables to our feeding programmes," says a delighted Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager.
 "There is also a house on the property that we plan to use to house vulnerable children."
 The ground has so far been rough-ploughed and tunnels will be erected shortly.
 "We've received an aid grant from the US Government to help get the project underway," says Rev Mabaso, "but we are looking for someone with farming experience who can provide us with mentorship and training."
 The project is designed to provide food for Carryou Ministry's feeding schemes, generate income from the sale of surplus produce and provide employment, training and skills for a small number of unemployed people.