Empowering the Kap n Bou Community Through a Communal Garden

The Global Hunger Index ranks Namibia 78th among 125 countries, with 17% of its population suffering from undernourishment. Kap n Bou, a settlement located on the outskirts of Otavi, faces limited access to food and essential services due to its location and rising prices. Access to fresh produce is severely limited in this area.

This community garden project is an investment in the Kap n Bou community, with all donations contributing to the sustainable access of fresh food. The funds raised will help purchase seeds, soil, fencing, water drums, shovels, and other gardening supplies.

Informal settlements, such as Kap n Bou, are typically extensions of townships where people squat on public land and construct structures from tin sheets. Many of these settlements lack basic amenities like plumbing, electricity, and waste management. Water is typically available through communal taps, but it can be overpriced and inconvenient to access. Informal settlements are home to about 40% of Namibia's population.

Vegetable gardens are a reliable and sustainable source of food. Vegetable scraps can be turned into compost to enrich the soil and seeds from harvested vegetables can be used for replanting. The fertile land in Otavi, together with underground water sources and plots allocated for agriculture use in the settlement, make it an ideal location for a community garden. However, the community needs funding and tools to start a communal garden.

I am Fiona Smith, a social work student from Minnesota currently studying political, environmental, and social justice in Windhoek, Namibia. In collaboration with the Namibia Housing Action Group, we aim to raise funds to assist the Kap n Bou community in starting a sustainable community garden.

We are grateful for your donation, regardless of the amount.