Projects:
Evaton West Community
Garden Project
Act!
Dear Salt Spring Island,
Thank you for your incredible support during our recent 16% for 16,000 fundraiser. The totals are not yet in, but we raised about $2000 towards the Evaton West Community Garden near Johannesburg, South Africa. In February several Salt Springers will be heading to Evaton West to involve themselves with the permaculture design and community outreach around this long term project. 10 local people are being trained in permaculture / agriculture in advance of the SOLID groups' arrival, so there will be committed people on site from day one!
The Evaton West Community Garden provides healthy food for people in one of the most AIDS-afflicted areas on the planet. In 1999, of the 34.3 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, 70% were in Sub-Saharan Africa - a region with only 10% of the world’s population. The Evaton West Community Garden provides an alternative source for young girls and mothers who might otherwise have to resort to ‘transactional sex’ to get food, and so reduces their likelihood of contracting the virus. In addition, antiretroviral drugs, when available, will only work in a well-nourished person. Healthy food helps to keep HIV-positive mothers alive, so that they can care for their children.
Working together, community by community, we can make a difference.
With heartfelt gratitude for your support,
SOLID