Art of Living sponsored the people from Sampukkulam, Vaddakachi to start their own home gardening. First week of November in Sampukkulam pre-school Hall, around 100 people gathered to benefit from the above initiative.
An Art of Living teacher Prashanth Sarma Murugesu initiated this idea along with Art of Living volunteers; Arulnithy, Somaraj, Shanthy and Senthuran. He collected 6 different vegetable seeds; such as, brinjal, ladies fingers, chillie, bitter gourd, etc. to distribute to these villagers who were displaced and have returned to their homes and struggling to earn some income to support their families.
Most of these villagers have already benefited from the Art of Breathing course and they told they no longer feel the stress they had from the war. This program made them happier as they can earn some money by growing these crops.
Mr. Kathirithamby Dharmasekaram, a retired Agriculture Instructor of Agriculture Department, Trincomalee demonstrated the steps in farming. He explained how to create a home garden and organic fertilizer. He further demonstrated how to maintain the land, seeding, watering the crops and prevention from diseases. These techniques gave the villagers an idea of home gardening and gained the confidence that they can do it.
The voluntees have decided to continue this initiative. The dynamic team has plans for regular visits and expansion of this gardening plan to other villagers too.