By Candice Boyle
THE journey of a small group of Ethiopian men has been cultivated into a community garden project in Braybrook.
The growth of garlic, carrots, chillies and tomatoes has signified an important step in the refugees’ new lives in Braybrook.
A common bond has been built between the men, who have been given the opportunity to again use their farming skills.
After being removed from their land in Ethiopia and in some cases spending 20 years in refugee camps in Sudan, the men have embraced the chance to return to the land.
They have planted vegetables and herbs to optimise the growing space in their small garden bed at the community garden.
The project has helped the men to cross the language barrier and connect with other groups involved with the garden project.
The co-ordinator of the New Hope Foundation Refugee Resource Centre, John Mirabile, said the project had made a dramatic difference in the lives of the men. “These guys need connection, they find it hard to engage in the community,” he said. “They feel a connection here, they have food security and a source of nutrition to help keep them healthy. This is what they did and home, this is their passion,” he said.
A member of the Ethiopian Community Association, Berihun Teshome, said the project had helped him feel like a new person.
“It is sad that I came here as an old man, but this is an important step for my children.
“We thank the Government and the community for taking us from the refugee camps and giving us this chance. We hope that we can produce a lot of things (in the garden),” he said.
Mr Mirabile said an important part of the project was to use and promote the skills of those involved with the project.
“They have an incredible knowledge of the land and a very untapped knowledge of how to sustain growth organically,” he said.
Mr Mirabile said the Ethiopian men’s involvement in the project was made possible through a grant from the Maribyrnong City Council.
The community garden site was revitalised by the Work for the Dole program more than a year ago and has since included projects from a number of community groups.
The supervisor of the Westgate Community Initiatives Group Work for the Dole project, Andrew McDermott, said the Ethiopian garden bed had been a welcome addition to the garden.
“This is just the beginning; we are building on the alliance, there is so more energy here,” he said.
Mr McDermott said other groups involved in the project had provided the men with information on how to adapt their farming style to Melbourne conditions.
Food grown in each of the beds at the community garden site will be celebrated in a food festival later this year.
The Big Day Out Food Festival will be held in November and will be partly funded through the community grant awarded to the project.
