Neighbourhood Sustainability update

Hi All.
I have been doing some thinking about this neighbourhood sustainability idea and realize it will take quite some time to establish. In a few short weeks I will be heading back to Neiu Bethesda to work on projects there before leaving South African shores. With that in mind, it is up to all those who have taken an interest in this idea to take it further.

To briefly recap what the whole idea is about:
I have proposed that groups within the different neighbourhoods and housing complexes start growing their own organic vegetable and herb garden. I have designed a template for a garden that is roughly the size of your average bedroom door (2 x 0.8 meters) which you can request from me. This is a nice starting point for those who don't already have their own vegetable garden, or have very little gardening experience. Once each member of the group has their garden going, and are more confident with working in the garden, the group can discuss who is growing what and make sure that as a whole, a variety of vegetables and herbs are being grown and produced all year round. Ultimately each group becomes self sustainable in terms of food production, the members trading their crop amongst one another (or better yet, sharing freely).
Now in most cases it probably won't be easy getting a whole neighbourhood to participate right from the beginning, so we will have to start small, even if it is only two people in the neighbourhood that are interested, that is fine. Lets work on the idea of just the two people here. These two get there gardens going and produce a decent crop. After they harvest, they invite a group of friends (or even your next door neighbours that you have never spoken to) round for dinner, and whip up a meal using what you have picked straight out of your garden. You tell them about your garden and put the idea forward with them to get their own started, which you would be more than happy to assist them with. They agree, and once they are ready to harvest, they invite people round just as you did and put the idea forward with them. This may be a slow process of getting people involved, but it is a start.
You could even give your guests seedlings that you have thinned out from your own garden to get them started right away, or add to their existing garden. Frequent dinners such as these should also help to develop better relationships with the people living around you.

Growing your own organic vegeatables will cut down on your monthly grocery expense, and also provide you with much more nutritious food that will help you to maintain a healthy body and immmune system.
Initially the garden requires some work, but over time and with a bit of research, you can create a garden that pretty much takes care of itself, and all you need to do is harvest.

I have a small group who have given me their contact details and have shown particular interest in this whole project. For those in PE, if you would like to get together as a group sometime within the next 2-3 weeks, please let me know ASAP so I can arrange something and discuss things further with you.

Hope everyone is keeping well and that your gardens are making progress.

Your Brother in Love and Service
Ryan