During One World Week (16-24 November), the Organic Centre in Leitrim is celebrating its One World ‘Gardening for Life’Project, an initiative that has grown to involve many people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
‘The One World Gardening for Life Project aims to increase understanding and awareness of local/global development issues through a practical and accessible format of gardening and cooking,’ said Andy Hallewell, Manager of the Organic Centre and Project Coordinator.
‘It’s become quite a popular project, involving six groups from a diverse range of backgrounds,’ said Andy. The groups include Grange National School in Sligo, St Angela’s College in Sligo, Loughan House open prison in Cavan, community gardening groups in Donegal and Leitrim, and Globe House, a refugee centre in Sligo.
The One World Gardening for Life Project, funded by Irish Aid, is now in its second year and will continue until April 2014. Some of the achievements to date include:
- Hosting a wide range of talks and film nights on topics such as Fair Trade, biodiversity, the power of community and genetically modified organisms
- Hosting innovative workshops on world breads, fermentation techniques, winter remedies, seed saving and the use of weeds for cooking
- Setting up of African key hole gardens and growing unusual vegetables from the ‘global south’ in a number of community gardens
- Supporting the establishment of community gardens at Benwisken, Bundoran, St Mary’s Sligo and IT Sligo in 2012, and at Loughan House Prison, Grange National School, Globe House Asylum Seekers Centre, Manorhamilton, Ballyshannon, St and Angela’s College of Food and Hygiene Co Sligo in 2013
In 2014, there will be more workshops and talks, and a new food growing garden will be established at St Angela’s College. The project will also deliver a FETAC Level 4 award in Local/Global Development Awareness to prisoners at Loughan House.
‘Everyone and anyone is welcome to get involved in the One World Gardening for Life Project,’ said Andy.
Look out for upcoming events advertised on the Organic Centre’s Facebook page and website or you can get involved with the Ballyshannon and Manorhamilton community gardens who participate in Gardening for Life Project events. Phone the Organic Centre on 071 985 4338 and ask for Andy or Hans to book a place.
For more information please click here to visit the Organic Centre’s webpage on One World Week.
