GARDENS FOR BETTER HEALTH
New opportunity for people living with HIV in Zambia
by Tara Carnochan & Bernie Lopko
As James stands in his garden, the plants seem to be a reflection of his personality: bright, healthy, and full of life. Two years ago, James was far from healthy – he weighed only 45kg and was very ill. He began antiretroviral medication to treat his HIV and his health rebounded. Through his involvement with the Integrated AIDS Programme, James was trained in IDE's Gardens for Better Health (GBH) programme.
James had always been interested in gardening. He had a small plot before joining GBH. Previously, he wasn’t aware of how to control pests or how to produce natural compost: “Pests were a real problem. Now, they are controlled since I know how to treat them using the things in my garden”. The training taught James how to seed, plant, and harvest his plants in addition to how to create organic fertilizer and pesticide.
James in his garden with home-based care volunteers
James comments that his health, and the health of his family, has improved since joining GBH in August 2007. He says, “My diet has greatly improved. I am happy and very healthy”. Patting his stomach, he says that he has now returned to his normal weight – 62kg. James laughs and smiles as he proudly displays his array of vegetables and herbs. Growing tomatoes, carrots, onions, moringa, and spinach is one of his favorite hobbies. His garden is a valuable source of nutrition for himself, his wife and their seven children, “Whenever we need vegetables we come into our garden to get them”. Growing their own vegetables allows James and his family to save money that they had previously spent on food. This money goes towards purchasing extras like cooking oil, sugar, salt, and tea.
His garden is also a valuable source of income – bringing in an additional K50,000 ($15) so far. James has been selling surplus vegetables to his neighbours. He laughs as he says that his neighbours think the IDE irrigation system he is using is “very fantastic!” and notes, “they want to be included in the program”.
The chairperson of his HIV/AIDS support group, James is very proud of his accomplishments in the last few years. He stands as a healthy, happy example of ‘positive living’.