Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Fiji island of Taveuni recently helped 3,400 children and 200 families to learn about eating healthy food and becoming more self-sufficient. A project involving education and supplies to enable families to grow productive home gardens, is currently under way.
Local members of the Church recently filled 2,700 bags of seeds which were given to families on the island, according to senior Latter-day Saint missionary, Sister Jean Sunderlage.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
"The seed bags were measured for half, quarter and one-eighth acre gardens," she said. "Each garden package contained 10 different kinds of seed."
"Families also received weed killer, compost and insecticide. Sprayers, garden spades and forks are available for home gardeners to use and each family received their own garden hoe."
3,400 students from 17 schools were supplied the seeds and products as beneficiaries of the Initiative.
"The children were very excited to receive the seeds," said Sister Sunderlage. "And we are seeing great gardens and produce that they are now harvesting."
"Several people have told us how wonderful it is to have fresh vegetables from their gardens. They are enjoying the fruits of their labours already."
Sister Sunderlage says that vegetables at the market are too expensive for many to purchase, so the gardens are making it possible for them to have a more complete and healthy diet for their families.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports projects similar to this worldwide.
"Jesus Christ taught us that we should love and serve our neighbour," explains Steve Stebbings, Pacific Area Welfare Manager for the Church. "We feel it is a religious duty as followers of Christ to do good in the world."