Tsandi: Refusing to let a mental health condition define his future, 45-year-old Joseph David is transforming his homestead in the Tsandi Constituency into a flourishing orchard of bananas, mangoes, pawpaws and other fruit trees. Speaking to Nampa at his home in Otshitoo village near Tsandi in the Omusati Region, David said he has been living with a mental health condition for more than 20 years and relies on a monthly government disability grant.According to Namibia Press Agency, David started his garden three years ago to support himself and improve his livelihood, as well as to support his family, after struggling to find formal employment. Despite his efforts, his condition has made securing a job difficult, leaving him to rely heavily on the disability grant, which is primarily used for medicine and necessities.David lives with his 72-year-old mother, who has been a constant source of encouragement for his gardening project. The orchard has already begun to produce bananas and mangoes, though on a sm all scale. However, a lack of water hampers the project's growth after the household's piped water supply was disconnected by NamWater due to an outstanding debt of about N$18,000.David believes that with proper water storage, he could realize his dream. He sees significant potential for gardening in rural areas, particularly in northern regions where land is available. Inspired by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who declared agriculture a national priority, David is motivated to contribute to Namibia's focus on increasing domestic cereal and horticultural production.Tending to his garden also helps David manage his health condition by keeping him occupied and away from negative influences. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare in the Omusati Region for providing gardening equipment that enabled him to establish the orchard.David welcomed a visit from members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Poverty Eradication, whose encouragement inspired him to contin ue. He hopes to receive assistance with fencing materials, which would allow him to expand the garden and grow vegetables like cabbages, tomatoes, and carrots, as his current rudimentary fence cannot keep out livestock.His mother, Julia Joseph, supports her son's efforts and appreciates the project's benefits, which include providing fresh fruit for their consumption. She notes that the project keeps him focused and away from negative influences.