Visitors to Canterbury Cathedral’s Open Garden weekend have helped to raise nearly £13,000 for charitable causes.
Two cheques, each for £4,500, were presented to Carol Townsend and Carol Reed from Soroptomist International on behalf of the Meru Women’s Garden Project in Kenya (a collaboration between child.org, Soroptomist International Great Britain and Ireland and CIFORD Kenya) and to Jessica Maddocks from the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) by Events Manager Emma Clarke and Senior Gardener Luke Matlock.
The remainder of the money raised during the May weekend has been given to the National Garden Scheme (NGS) to be distributed between their chosen charities.
The money will go such a long way towards supporting women of Meru County to establish their own sustainable kitchen garden, feed their families and even earn a small income by selling excess produce at market.
SIGBI clubs are currently supporting 194 women through the project, in which they receive training, seeds, plants, tools and equipment, including access to a water tank. The year long project, costing around £300 per family, also provides a mentor (for two years) and education on eco issues and health and nutrition.
In addition we are supporting CIFORD (Community Initatives for Rural development) to run seminars on ‘Alternative Rites of Passage to FGM’ for girls to discourage this harmful practice which is prevalent in the area.
The weekend or week long seminars provide girls with the education they need to make informed choices and discuss the issues knowledgably with their families. A similar seminar is planned for boys in December 2017 which will include FGM issues as well as education on drug and alcohol abuse.