Hoachanas: The Hoachanas Children Fund (HCF) organized a training workshop on Thursday aimed at empowering small-scale backyard gardeners and farmers in the settlement to enhance food security. The event focused on equipping participants with essential skills in sustainable agriculture.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the workshop, themed 'Sow, Save, Sustain: Building Food Security from Backyard to Table,' gathered 30 individuals for a hands-on session in seed sowing and plant care. Project coordinator Kenneth Rheent emphasized the importance of skills development for community growth and self-reliance, stating that the training is part of HCF's broader mission to build a sustainable future through food production.

Rheent reported that more than 400 vegetable seedlings, including tomatoes, green peppers, onions, squash, lettuce, beetroot, butternut, and eggplant, were planted by the participants. These seedlings were placed in trays within a small nursery at the Ark Youth Centre, which doubles as an after-school care facility. The seedlings will be distributed to backyard gardeners after a few weeks.

The HCF, active for 26 years, launched the backyard gardening initiative in 2022 in response to the food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rheent highlighted that the initiative has grown to support over 200 backyard gardens in Hoachanas. He added that the organization provides free seeds and technical training, and some of the produce is purchased by the organization for their soup kitchen, supporting children and families in need.