We Need Simple Sustainable Solutions
We Need Simple Sustainable Solutions
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Some Project Moments
In the beginning the project was without form and devoid of plans.
In the beginning the project was without form and devoid of plans.
“Just do the right thing. Doing the right thing is never wrong.” I like saying this to everyone that will listen. I lost count of how many times I have said this, and to how many people. Sometimes I even do it.
It was early in the morning of September 2018 when I met James. James is not his real name. He presented his best brilliant white smile. I have since seen that smile many times. James came to my house to earn a single day’s wage. My Gardner at the time brought him round to help with some heavy lifting that needed to be done on the day. I cannot remember the work that we did on that day. What I do remember is that I realised that this man needed an opportunity. He was not asking for a handout. He was only asking for an opportunity to work and to show his worth.
A few words with my spouse, and we were off to the races. We were going to give it a go! As it happened, we recently watched a YouTube video which explained how to make drunken compost. Moreover, we just happened to have a compost pile in our 2000sqm garden that was not living up to its potential. We decided to start making and selling compost to help James show his value and to go from unemployed person to compost maker, compost loader and compost seller.
Making our first few test batches
Green wall of compost piling up in our backyard
It took time but eventually we had the whole production process going. We could make, sieve and bag compost in reasonable timeframe. The one part we were struggling with was generating revenue or sales. Till today we have not made any money on this project. On the bright side our garden has never been more beautiful. The lawn transformed into a healthy green carpet. We also found that we needed less water to produce a healthier garden overall.
We also learned a lot. Two of the most interesting lessons we learned was how hot it was turning a compost pile. When turning piles in summer even very early in the morning the heat from the pile is enough to cook you from the front even if the summer morning was still cool and crisp. We can only imagine what it is like with the sun baking you from above. We also learned that no one understands what it is to work, until they have picked up a shovel and shovelled dirt and compost.
Since the revenue was not forthcoming, we needed to find a new way to grow the business and minimise the losses we were absorbing with our personal finances. As these things typically work, We were introduced to an organisation called Dare to Love who did a lot of good work in various communities. One of their biggest projects was to help underprivileged communities establish gardens growing vegetables to supplement basic nutrition in those communities. It was a match made in heaven.
Dare to love had access to land and garden greens from a nearby gated community. James could expand production and save these volunteers money on buying compost for their gardens. Excess compost produced can be sold to cover costs, break even, or turn a small profit eventually.
Today James is still working on the land managed by Dare to Love. He can now look after himself and has started the journey to build towards a brighter future. His next goal is to get a driver’s license. He put away the money himself and he is planning to start the process in Jan 2022.
Making our first few test batches
Looking at it today we realise that we made a lot of mistakes, and we have learned a lot from them. When we look ahead we also see that there is a long road to go still, but we are grateful for how far we have come. Looking back makes it all woth the effort. Our journey is underway.
We have begun.
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