“The garden suggests that there might be a place where we can meet nature half way.”
– Michael Pollan
HAPI-Bulacan has been working tirelessly for the growth and maintenance of its hydroponics garden. This community garden aims to increase food security, improve local ecology, and promote unity among the locals.
“HAPI CFO Mutya Valenzuela started with a garden in the vacant area of the HQ property,” said Angie Driskell, HAPI Auditor, of the garden’s origins.
She added that after harvesting a few crops, Valenzuela tried out the hydroponic process for easier maintenance and production of plants with the goal of distributing the crops to HAPI-Bulacan chapter members.
These goals were actively pursued when 13 children from HAPI-Bulacan met at the headquarters to harvest fresh lettuce from the garden. After ensuring their cleanliness and safety, the participants were then taught to prepare some of the vegetables, peel the hard-boiled eggs, and mix the salad ingredients with proper assistance from other volunteers.
Following the preparation, the children were urged to sit down and enjoy the healthy meal that they put together. The kids went home with full stomachs, smiles, and some freshly picked tomatoes from their community garden.
This is not the first time that the chapter harvested from their community garden, however, it is the first time that the kids experienced harvesting the fresh ingredients for their snacks.
It is important to educate the next generation on the advantages of having a community garden where they can put in their hard work and have results. It is a way of teaching them independence and determination while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.
“There are definitely plans of expanding the garden in Bulacan as well as the gardens in Cagayan de Oro and Alabang,” an excited Driskell expressed when asked about the next steps for the garden.
She also stated that due to the current temperature of the country, HAPI is looking into more sustainable ways of gardening.
The community garden of Bulacan is not only the work of volunteers but of GO Humanity which graciously lends a helping hand to HAPI-Bulacan.
