The German Embassy supports the Francis Free Life Charity Organization with their “Garden of Eden” community project in Khomasdal. A total of 485,000 N$ (approx. 25,000 EUR) from the micro project fund will be made available for a community project in Windhoek-Khomasdal. The funds will be used to set-up an aquaponics urban garden that will enable community members to actively benefit from the produce harvested, such as a variety of vegetables as well as the fish cultivated for the use in aquaponics.

 On 14 July 2020, Ellen Gölz, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy Windhoek, signed the agreement with Chairperson Francis Louw and Project Manager Ruan Louw. On visiting the premises, where the project will be implemented, Ellen Gölz could get an idea on the scale of the planned endeavor.

 A large greenhouse will be built where the aquaponics system will be complemented by raised beds to insure a bigger variety of vegetables. The project focuses on combating malnutrition and food insecurity, while providing families and individuals without access to land of their own opportunities to participate in the project and to generate income for self-sustainability and self-sufficiency.

 “Garden of Eden” aims to mitigate an array of economic, social, psychological and environmental problems that plague the community, and intends to bring change in areas such as food production, community purpose and spirit, educational opportunities and youth and female employment. Further goals include providing work experience, training, and volunteering opportunities within a supportive and inclusive environment.

Project partner:

The Francis Free Life Charity Organization was established in 2006 and has since its beginning been implementing a variety of social involvement projects in areas of education, health, community development and welfare. The project members responsible for the aquaponics urban garden are all qualified in the field, some in aquaponics and others in permaculture. They had started a pilot project in their own backyard to test the outcome of their idea. Since they had great results they decided to set-up this program on a large scale in order to give back to their community by offering the produce to soup kitchens and at reduced prices to street vendors.