An innovative community garden has been set up in front of Residenza Sant’Anna at the Gozo General Hospital in Victoria. The initiative brings together students, educators, parents, the elderly and hospital staff in one shared outdoor classroom.
The Sow, Grow, Unite Community Garden, considered to be the first project of its kind in the Maltese islands, seeks to promote outdoor education, hands-on cross-curricular learning, quality time with family and a stronger connection with nature.
It aims to promote intergenerational collaboration and knowledge-sharing, foster community bonds and connection to nature, encourage sustainable, local and seasonal food production, and provide students and their families with the opportunity to grow their own crops.
Sustainable practices are to be implemented at the garden – pesticides are strictly not permitted, only natural, eco-friendly gardening is practised, following permaculture and sustainability principles; other practices include a zero-waste policy in the garden area; composting using a communal compost bin and mulching; the use of upcycled materials; and the sustainable use of water. The garden encourages access by foot or cycling to reduce the carbon footprint.
In order to promote biodiversity, support pollinators and the ecosystem, a variety of different crops are planted, including fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and indigenous species.
The garden also aims to cultivate a community spirit by encouraging visitors and Eco-School volunteers to create new bonds, share not only knowledge and experiences but also seeds, tools and cuttings. The garden has also created an ideal venue for the celebration of cultural diversity where food and recipes can be shared during organised community events.
The initiative is also aligned with various UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being; SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; SDG 12, which aims at ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns; SDG 13, which urges taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
The concept of the garden was born from the vision of the Eco-Schools/LEAF Committee and was realised through a collaborative effort between Gozo College Agius de Soldanis Middle School, GLOBE Malta, Nature Trust-FEE Malta and Gozo General Hospital.
It also enjoyed the full support of Jo Etienne Abela, Minister for Health and Active Ageing, and Carmen Ogilvie-Galea, Gozo General Hospital CEO.
At its inauguration, the garden was also blessed by Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma.
The garden is a good example of what can be accomplished when schools, communities and institutions work hand in hand with a shared vision.
The Eco-Schools Committee aims to expand this initiative further through collaborations with other entities.
Ramona Mercieca is the community garden project manager, GLOBE Malta deputy coordinator and EkoSkola link teacher.
Recipe book launched
During the inauguration of the garden, the recipe book Fil-Ġnien man-Nanna in Autumn & Winter was launched. Inspired by the fresh produce harvested from the community garden, the book features easy-to-prepare, nutritious recipes that use local and seasonal ingredients.
Copies in either English or Maltese are available from the school or Gozo General Hospital against a €5 donation.
All proceeds will go towards supporting more Eco-School/EkoSkola projects and initiatives.
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