by NATASHA TIGWELL
•
22 April 2021
We are pleased to be supporting the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link again. Inspired by the success of a pilot ‘Seed Challenge’ project last year, we have donated £500 to their 2021 School Farms Project. Last year, just £200 enabled 21 schools in Hastings, Sierra Leone, to buy seeds and grow crops so successfully that they were able to provide for their school communities. They were also able to sell some of the harvest to raise funds and buy more seeds. According to Link Trustee David Lewis who is heading the School Farms Project for 2021: “If we can encourage young people to work hard and see the results of their labours it might inspire them to create a future in horticulture. Creating liveliness is key to giving these children a sustainable career.” The 2021 Project will now build on last year’s success, offering a structured approach to developing self-sustaining farms that can continue to benefit schools and local communities. This year there are 24 schools involved with some of them already having exciting ideas for moving forward. Dain Jensen, owner of Kiley’s Karpets, is a patron of the Link and a long-term supporter and fundraising, “When I heard of the success of the Seeds Challenge and how so little can make such a difference there was no doubt in my mind that this project was something to support and help evolve into something much bigger which can give the children hope for the future.” Richard Homewood, Link Chairman added: “We are extremely grateful for this generous donation from Kiley’s Karpets. It will give the School Farms Project a real boost. We give a huge thank you to Dain and the company for the donation and all their fundraising over the years.” To find out more about the project and other initiatives, visit www.hastingshastings.org.uk