Harald from Germany was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Keiskamma Region during his bike tour of Africa when he stumbled accross The Project. A day-trip turned into a three-week stay after he got to know about the project and kindly offered his skills as a gardener. Here is a letter he wrote to us telling all about his experience in the project.

Dear Keiskamma Friends,

I, Harald Fahrig, a gardener, came to Hamburg as a Bicycle Traveller.  Here I got to know people and was invited to stay with them in their house.  Through them I got to know more people and was told the story of the Keiskamma Project.  Like many people here, I also got involved and have been pleased to stay longer in order to support the project as a professional gardener from Goettingen, Germany. 

So two days later the cyclist became the gardener again and joined the project’s team of gardeners.  Together we took on the maintenance job of the garden around the Treatment Centre.  We exchanged skills and experiences.  We were very motivated to give the garden a better look for the occasion of the Trust meeting 2007.

The next thing we did was to make changes for easier maintenance, and planting trees in an area where shade was needed.  As I was taught the special conditions of the area, I was able to pass on some of my gardening skills and know-how to the team.

During the second week I already felt familiar with Hamburg and all the new friends here, and a new challenge was given to me. The gardeners I worked with wanted me to start a vegetable garden at the Stamper House, together with them.  Within only one week and with the help of many other Keiskamma Friends, we were able to prepare the area, fertilise the soil and put in the seeds.  To do that we had to find a way of growing vegetables, that recognised the special circumstances of the area, including future extensions.  And so a plan was drawn up and printed and made available for the team.

Throughout, everything went well as everybody was excited and more and more of the things we did together were taken over by the team.
I gave back the key into their hands and I could now go again with a wealth of impressions and with many new friends; and knowing that I had a tree growing here.
 
It was nice to be needed, and it was especially nice to spend the three weeks together with Princess, Linda, Eluis and Elliot and to work with them. 

I would do that all over again.

added 04.03.07