Greening of the educational and leisure center Delta Cultura

On Capeverdean island Santiago in the northern part of the city Tarrafal there is the educational and leisure center Delta Cultura that was founded by Florian Wegenstein and his wife Marisa in 2002. The start being marked with six footballs, today up to 300 children are looked after daily. The offer includes homework done under supervision, football for social development, IT, art, foreign languages and music. Furthermore since the year 2016, there is a kindergarten for children aged 4 years, that daily looks after 26 children. Consequently children and juveniles of one of the poorest countries on earth get access to education and knowledge and are positively being accompanied in their personal development.

In cooperation with Delta Cultura and some local organisations, Daniel Schlegel Umweltstiftung now planted vegetables and trees. The project included a permaculture garden that creates permanent close-to-nature dynamics, in which humans, animals and plants live together. By being integrated into continuing cultivation and maintenance of the gardening project, the youngsters learn economically and socially sustainable management with given resources. The crop is regularly used in cooking classes in the kitchen of the center.

In order to protect the garden from numerous sheep, goats, cows and pigs that are running around free in the area, a green fence with drip irrigation was built around the terrain. Furthermore the green fence was bristled with several trees like the common jujube, acacias, figs and flame trees. The irrigation of the fence is carried out by Delta Cultura’s three-chamber graywater plant and by the local waterworks.

Moreover, on the verge football pitch, which is located on the side of the area, there is a 10 by 100 metres sized area that serves for the planting of 100 moringa trees. Planting moringa trees is to sell its products, e.g. tea, powder, seed and oil, which can contribute to the operating costs of the center. Besides, the children become acquainted with usage and healing power of moringa.

The project is a typical win-win situation and its implementation realised several goals. Planting measures, the garden as well as the required maintenance, cultivation and irrigation further the childrens’ ecological awareness and train them in organic farming. The vegetable garden enables the supply with homegrown, healthy foods. The disposal of moringa products will yield a profit in the medium-run and counteract the camp’s increasing operational costs, that are caused by its continuous growth. Thereby, Delta Cultura is supported in its work and on top, we are able to plant miscellaneous trees. Improving the living conditions of people while counteracting climate change by planting trees is the main focus of the Daniel Schlegel Umweltstiftung.