Graceland, with the support of the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust, built two Hydroponic Tunnels for Marietjieschool, including the drilling of a borehole and construction of a proper trench.
Manger Care Centre for Social and Entrepreneurial development, based in Johannesburg as well as Lorum Construction, based locally, handled the construction side of things.
Marietjieschool accommodates children from various ages with special physical and mental needs. The school acquired extra land for further development of their children, implementing additional attempts to educate them to become self-sustainable adults upon reaching an age where they are required to leave the school.
The project is already running full steam, with many children growing their own crops. The food that will be produced in the tunnels will help to feed the children of Marietjie who rely on donations and their own
yearly fund-raising initiatives. The new agricultural subject has raised a lot of exciting prospects for the children and with more involvement outside of the classroom, the children have just a little bit extra to look forward to each day.
The official handover was attended by teachers and children from Marietjieschool with The Bulletin invited to cover the event. Graceland did the catering and Johan van Zyl, Head Chef at Graceland, presented mouth-watering platters.
Pieter de Villiers spoke to the dignitaries and said that he knows that the learners at Marietjieschool loves three things: “They love music, they love to be loved and they love to work with their hands and that is why we will continue supporting them as long as Graceland is here.”
The tunnels are neat and shows the love that goes into growing things, especially if it is for consumption. Mariane Ueckermann, Marietjieschool principal, expressed the school’s appreciation towards Graceland’s involvement.
The tunnels are surely going to help the school with their needs.
Thank you to Graceland for a wonderful project!
