Arm in Arm has been partnering with the community of Malungeni for more than 20 years. This Easter Cape township incorporates 3 communities with a combined population of around 2,000. AIAIA has been quarterly food parcels to the area under the direction of Board members Olga Xapile, a resident of Malungeni, and Spiwo Xapile, a Malungeni native.

The community has long desired to increase food produced locally and that’s now possible, thanks to community gardens that the Arm in Arm team is co-sponsoring with INMED, a South African humanitarian organization.

More than 20 people have been approved for training. Two large plots — one for vegetable and one for maiz — have been cleared and planted. A greenhouse has been installed for seedlings and a water holding tank has been installed. A pump will be installed and solar panels are planned.

Produce from the gardens will go first to feed children in Malungeni’s middle school and primary schools.