life is rich when we share, a personal tale about Transforming Dumping Side to Fresh Garden

[zoneziwoh]

Just one Small Simple Idea ended my long time annoyance with neighbours 

On the 9th of Feb, my young boy and I decided to show love to one small piece of land by our house. A little land now used by neighbours as a dumping ground. [click here to see Pic posted on fb] 

Each time, this space is clean, within days it’s all filled with plastics and all sort of wastes. And when I asked my neighbours why they choose to dumb their wastes there and not at the community garbage bins? They respond, saying I should “go ask the wind for blowing waste/plastic bags there”. 

For quite some time, I have been angry at my neighbours until recently – Feb 09, when we came up with this unique idea - to nurse/plant begetable after removing/picking out all the dumped waste. Like magic, it's over a week since we planted the Veg, we have not seen any plastics or waste dumped. And probably even the wind too has stopped to blow waste there. 

WHAT DID WE DO

After cleaning, and picking out all plastics, we planted some vegetable. Then made a compound announcement that the veg planted is for EVERYONE and thus calling on everyone to help ensure the Veg grows. 

The good thing also is, almost all Cameroonian loves this particular vegetable – on average it cost 250-400fcfa per bundle ($0.7 – $1 for few grams). 

ONE WEEK AFTER
No plastic thrown. The place is still the way it was after feb 09 cleaning but for some sprouting grass.  

From Zero Cost to some Cost

The original cost spent were almost closed to Zero. The only item bought was the vegetables seeds ($1). The LAND was used FREE, My labour– FREE, as well as the Machetes, hoe, bucket, watering can, which I borrowed for free!

A month and some weeks later, the veg was ready to harvest. So, I called on my friends to share [see Harvest pic]. It was fun! my friends and I enjoyed each and every piece of the vegetable. We harvest over four bundles, and if sold it could cost something around $4-6. So you know till date, i am still harvesting from the same from this garden.

what a JOY!

ADVICE 
If around you, people are fun of littering and each time you find yourself quarreling or arguing – just try something like this one. It’ll spare you so much quarrel and trouble with neighbours. 

Good Luck

[Kristin Bodiford]

These are beautiful vegetables Zoneziwoh! Nice work. Imagine if you expanded your gardening. You have a gift. :) 

[Autry Haynes]

Truly motivating, sure there is alot to learn and be inspired from, thanks (^_^)

[Jan Somers]

Great ! Invite your neighbours for a veggie meal :-)

[MariJo]

hi zoneziwoh, beautiful idea transformed in fruitful action. That is what change is about.
Congratulations to you for planting the seed and to your neighbors for accepting it and becoming part.
Best

[Steve Muthusi]

this is AWESOME zoneziwoh 

keep up the TRANSFORMATION ...