Max Henrich
ONGWEDIVA – A total of 38 vulnerable households have benefited from the Ongwediva Town Council’s community garden since its establishment in March this year, with six households receiving fresh produce during its sixth harvest.
The project was established to provide vulnerable community members with access to fresh produce while equipping them with practical skills to grow their own food and become more self-reliant.
According to the town’s acting corporate communication officer Penda Kashihakumwa, the six households that benefited from the latest harvest received one crate each of beetroot and tomatoes, as well as three crates of spinach.
“The beneficiaries are identified through the Sam Nujoma Multi-purpose Centre and the council’s social responsibility division, which conduct outreach programmes to identify vulnerable residents in need of assistance,” he said.
Kashihakumwa said that the garden has not yet made a substantial contribution to the overall food security of vulnerable households but has provided a valuable supplement to their diets.
“The fresh produce received has made a meaningful difference by providing vegetables for the preparation of specific meals,” the council said.
He added that the prevailing economic conditions make purchasing fresh produce a challenge for vulnerable households, making the garden an important source of vegetables that they might otherwise struggle to obtain.
The initiative has received financial and other support from the City of Lommel, which has contributed to the development of the garden and funded essential inputs, including seeds.
He further said that the council is now seeking additional funding to expand the garden, increase production and reach more vulnerable households.
However, Kashihakumwa said that the council’s long-term objective extends beyond distributing vegetables to vulnerable residents.
The Ongwediva town council aims to use the garden as a learning platform where community members can acquire practical skills to establish and maintain backyard gardens.
“This will enable community members to cultivate their own vegetables and become more self-reliant, rather than depending solely on the Council for assistance,” he said.
He said that residents who gain these skills will be able to apply them within their own households, supporting greater self-reliance and improving access to fresh vegetables.
The community garden was officially established in March 2026, with Kashihakumwa emphasising food production skills and self-reliance as key objectives of the initiative.
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