3M Earth @ REEA: Join the Craighall Park Community Initiative
The CraigPark Residents’ Association (CRA) is proud to support the 3M Earth @ REEA initiative and encourages all residents to get involved in this meaningful project.
Seeking Solutions to the Homeless Problem
The issue of homelessness, particularly in our parks, is a persistent challenge not only in Craighall Park but throughout Johannesburg. As South Africa moves into a new political era, it’s clear that this problem cannot be solely addressed by the government. Immediate, community-driven solutions are needed.
3M Earth is involved in two significant projects in Craighall Park that aim to transition homeless individuals from the streets and parks by providing them with skills and employment opportunities. These projects also directly address food security issues.
3M Earth is a non-profit organisation based in Craighall Park. Its primary mission is to train disadvantaged individuals in low-cost organic farming methods, focusing on regenerative soil management practices. The goal is to equip marginalised and impoverished community members with the skills to produce nutrient-dense food at minimal cost, thus alleviating food insecurity. The training also prepares them for employment or to start their own small-scale farming businesses.
In partnership with the Johannesburg Homeless Network (JHN), 3M Earth trained ten homeless individuals in organic farming techniques over a 12-month period at their training site. The project has now moved into the implementation phase at the Rand Epileptic Employment Association (REEA) grounds in Craighall Park. Here, the graduates are applying their skills to transform the REEA garden, which had been neglected.
Our vision is to make the REEA garden a focal point for Craighall Park and surrounding suburbs. The garden will be both visually appealing and functional, attracting tourists, locals, schools, garden clubs, and more. Increased foot traffic will benefit REEA tenants, supporting the REEA charity and ensuring hostel residents receive fresh organic vegetables every month. Maintaining REEA’s presence is vital to our suburb, as it prevents the council from repurposing the land for development.
Since the project’s launch at REEA in May, the transformation has been remarkable. It serves as a public showcase of our graduates’ skills, hopefully leading to their full-time employment independent of 3M Earth. Additionally, we aim to train some graduates to become future trainers, spreading low-cost farming techniques to other disadvantaged communities and urban areas.
CRA and 3M Earth Partnership
The CRA’s partnership with 3M Earth will promote these activities within our community, with the REEA site serving as a public demonstration of our training programme. We hope to encourage local companies and individuals to provide funding and sponsorship to sustain our efforts.
Government funding covered part of the first year’s costs, but it will not be renewed. We have enough reserves to continue for another two months. Without urgent funding, the trainees may end up back on the streets, and the project could fail.
Ways to Support CRA and 3M
Attend the Spring Day Opening:
– Join us on 1st September for the official opening of the garden at REEA
– Enjoy fresh organic veggies, chillis, and sauces on sale
Follow Us on Facebook:
– Follow and share our Facebook page
– Stay updated on the progress of the REEA food garden
Sponsorship:
– Provide materials like gum poles, wooden pallets, steel wire brickforce, chicken wire, shade netting, food-grade drums, and buckets
– Garden waste for composting can be dropped off at the 3M Earth @ REEA Heritage Food Garden (next to CO2 Nutraceutics and the Gerikaris winery)
Donations:
– Covering the costs for ten individuals working in the REEA garden at R3000/month per individual for food and a minimum wage stipend
– Long-term employment opportunities for our graduates, either by hiring them to manage company veggie gardens or by organising community pavement gardens
Independent Income Generation:
– Selling home-grown, fresh organic vegetables on market days starting 1st September
– Offering packaged foods like dried chilli powder, pickled vegetables, sauces, and relishes
– Conducting training workshops on composting techniques and low-cost organic farming methods
– Hosting outings and talks for school groups, garden clubs, and tourists
Together, we can make a difference in our community. Let’s support the 3M Earth @ REEA initiative and help transform lives through sustainable solutions.