ECCNSW is making a positive impact with its Building CALD Communities for a Healthy Life and Healthy Environment program, which kicked off in August 2022 and is set to conclude in January 2024.
This initiative is part of the Resilience NSW-funded COVID-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program (CCCWP).
The primary goal of this program is twofold: to foster stronger social connections within local communities and to enhance the resilience of individuals, families, and communities, ensuring their wellbeing in the face of future challenges, including the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other potential disasters.
In regions where culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations are prevalent, bilingual educators from ECC NSW, experienced in environmental and sustainability programs, are working in close collaboration with CALD early learning centres and ethnic-religious organisations.
Together, they aim to empower these communities with the necessary tools for practical learning and activities.
The program’s central focus is on building edible gardens, serving as a source of sustenance and a symbol of community growth.
Bilingual educators are leading the way by guiding participants in the installation of garden beds and providing valuable insights on planting and maintaining the gardens.
In a commitment to sustainability, communities receive garden beds, herbs, veggies, plants and flowers and/or composting bins, worm farms, and kitchen caddies to ensure eco-conscious practices.
The program has already engaged 12 centers, including child care centres and religious organisations, in the Western Sydney area.
Striving for minimal waste, the initiative promotes a sustainable cycle, returning food waste to the garden to enrich the soil and foster bountiful produce.
This comprehensive approach instills self-reliance, enabling participants to independently maintain the provided resources sustainably, ensuring long-lasting positive outcomes for the entire community.
ECCNSW’s Edible Gardens initiative is sowing the seeds of wellbeing and community cohesion, providing a thriving environment where resilient communities flourish despite the challenges they face.
As the program continues to thrive, it stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives, inspiring countless others on their path to a healthier, more connected future.
Kids learn how to produce compost in the “Building CALD Communities for a Healthy Life and Healthy Environment” program