Restoring Africa, One Classroom at a Time: Potato Project with CMH Ford Ballito
The Restore Africa Foundation, in partnership with Round Table and 221 Shaka Nursery, is proud to launch an innovative educational initiative that is transforming the way children in disadvantaged communities learn about food, sustainability, and self-reliance. Fully endorsed by the Department of Basic Education, this program is designed to teach children practical and creative ways to grow their own vegetables—even in informal settlements where space and resources are limited.
The Pilot Project at Sizani Combined Primary School
This pilot project begins at Sizani Combined Primary School, located next to the Inc Church. With 900 pupils, many of whom face significant socio-economic challenges, Sizani Primary is an ideal starting point for a program that combines education, sustainability, and hands-on learning. Every classroom will receive a bucket garden, generously provided by Living Earth Compost, and children will be taught how to grow potatoes using these simple but innovative methods.
Beyond Growing Vegetables
The beauty of this program is that it goes far beyond just planting vegetables. By engaging children in growing their own food, the project teaches them critical life skills such as patience, responsibility, and the value of hard work. It introduces them to sustainable farming practices, nutrition education, and creative problem-solving—important lessons for children living in informal settlements where access to fresh vegetables is often limited.
Support and Resources
Thanks to the support of CMH Ford Ballito for sponsoring potatoes and Living Earth Compost for the compost, the project is fully resourced. The pilot program at Sizani Combined Primary School will serve as a model for 132 schools that have already granted access to this initiative. The vision is clear: to expand across communities, equipping children with the knowledge and skills to grow their own food, improve their nutrition, and inspire a culture of sustainability in their neighbourhoods.
Empowerment Through Education
This program with CMH Ford Ballito is not just about gardening; it’s about empowerment and hope. Children are learning that even small actions, like planting a potato in a bucket, can create tangible results and a sense of accomplishment. They are also discovering that food security doesn’t have to be a dream—it can begin right in their classrooms.
A Vision for the Future
The Restore Africa Foundation is committed to fostering innovation in education, promoting self-sufficiency, and empowering the next generation. This potato project is a testament to what can be achieved when community organizations, schools, sponsors, and local businesses come together with a shared purpose. It is a reminder that sometimes, the smallest seeds can grow into the most powerful change.
As this pilot program unfolds, the hope is that it will inspire more schools and communities across South Africa to embrace creative, low-cost solutions to food insecurity. By starting with something as simple as a bucket and a potato, we are planting more than food—we are planting knowledge, resilience, and hope for a brighter future.
Contact CMH Ford Ballito
📍 CMH Ford Ballito
35–37 Moffat Drive, Ballito Business Park
📞 032 946 5600
🌐 www.fordballito.co.za