Our work at Government High School, Karalapakkam

Day 1: Visiting the School

Today was the first day that we saw the school, and selected the area to use for the garden. We selected a 10ft x 10ft area close to the school building. The area had good sunlight for half the day, and there was a large tree giving shade for half the day. This was ideal as all our plants are annual, meaning they will have to be replanted each year, and would not have very deep roots. 

Day 2: 

Today we started the project. This included getting help for plumbing, to find the best water connection for the garden. After this, I was introduced to the 6th and 8th graders. We started to till the soil to see how deep it is, and a few eager students came to help us. I then talked to the students in the classroom about my project, and why I am doing it. Afterwards, I gave the students some candies that I got. We then went to purchase materials to build fencing. We have to finish the fencing before planting anything, because there are cows and other animals that wander onto the campus to graze. 

Day 3: 

Today we completed the water connection for the garden and put in cement bars for the fencing. We chose cement bars as they are very heavy and will stand well. The water connection was a little more difficult as we had to go around a building. We put the tubing underground as there are high chances of theft, so putting it underground provided a solution for that. I later went to talk to 9th grade students who were very interested in caring for and maintaining the garden. After that I came outside and was helping with the water system. A few students also helped us, and we were able to finish sooner. I also spoke with the food program cook, who really liked the initiative and purpose of this project, and was very impressed with what we have done so far.

Day 4: 

Today we put the fencing around the garden area. We had to purchase some extra fencing material as there was not enough. My mom and I also loosened the soil. We are planning on planting the saplings/seeds in a few days as it is crucial when first planting anything to water it daily so the plant can combine with the new soil and establish strong roots. Afterwards I gave the 6th graders some notebooks, pens, and pencils I had bought for them. We went over photosynthesis and plant anatomy, and they took notes on these topics. Afterwards I interviewed the food program cook. She talked about the importance of healthy food for students and how the garden will help them more. Tomorrow we will continue to prepare the land to plant.

Day 5: 

Today when we arrived a few 9th and 10th grade students were already working in the garden, adding a support beam in the fence under the guidance of a teacher. We had to remove this as we are going to add a raised bed, probably using bricks. I then taught the 6th graders about plant cells and different components in them. I started on nutrition as well, and am going to have them keep a log of what they eat each day. There were a few students who skipped breakfast/dinner, so I am thinking of a solution for that. I am hoping that the students will start their own micro-gardens at home so they will be able to grow their own vegetables to eat with their families. All students get lunch at school through the Sathunavu program. 

Day 6: 

Yesterday school got cancelled due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. The rain prepared the area well, and we were able to put the border for the raised bed. An alum of the school came to help us with finding the right materials and to put the border in. We used cement and bricks to make a 6 inch high wall all around the border of the garden. I went over the previous lessons with the students in the classroom, and quizzed them on what we did. We got everything set up and ready to plant tomorrow.

Day 7: 

Today another alumn also came to help us in the garden, and brought a few tomato saplings he had grown. We combined the soil with cow dung that students bought from their homes (many families raise cows and goats in the village).Both the alumni tilled the whole garden area with a few groups of students, from different grades. My mom then went to buy more plants from a nursery we visited. During this time I taught 6th grade about health benefits and importance of different vitamins and minerals. Afterwards, the alumni and a few students divided the area into 6 parts and created rows to plant. Then when the plants arrived, we planted them. We planted about: 10 chili saplings, 2 eggplant saplings, 15 tomato saplings, some okra, spinach, and radish seeds. We then started putting in the drip irrigation to water the plants. We will finish the drip irrigation tomorrow.

Day 8: 

Today we completed the drip irrigation with the help of a few students from different grades. All students are responsible for taking care of the garden, but two 9th graders were put in charge to make sure the garden was safe and secure, and that the plants got water every day. I then did an intro lesson to microscope, as we were planning on viewing plant cells. There were some technical difficulties with the microscope so we weren't able to do the activity. A few students got some plants from their homes, which we also planted in and around the garden. Afterwards we went to two nurseries to buy more plant saplings and seeds which we will plant tomorrow.

Day 9: 

Today we finished setting up the garden. We had 15 or so saplings that we purchased yesterday, and asked each of the teachers and staff members to plant one in the garden. Asking the teachers to plant will motivate the students to take care of their garden and know that the teachers will be there to motivate them. We also took a group photo with the whole school and staff members, and I talked about my project during the morning assembly. Now the whole drip irrigation is in place with all the plants, so it is up to the students to care for this garden, which will in return care for them.