By Kayla Bruch

Garden project gives West Flat children a positive place to spend time

Feb 4, 2015 | 6:37 AM

A few years ago, a Good Samaritan started welcoming children into her home and into her garden.

West Flat resident Shelley Essaunce is all about feeding the curiosity of kids. So in the fall of 2012, she started a neighbourhood program out of her home after some children who live in the area asked her about gardening.

“I invited them into the yard to help plant and it just sort of blossomed from there; they kept coming back, we kept planting more plants, we kept hanging out together,” she said. “Children are naturally very curious and want to learn so many things, and so these are things that I like to do and it’s easy to have kids around.”

Not only does Essaunce teach gardening, another thing she stresses with her program is the importance of sustainability.

“We can’t be making more garbage for these kids to deal with and so that’s a big part … also of the teachings that are a part of this program,” she said. “So often you see in gatherings or with children there’s just so much throw away dishes and Styrofoam and, you know, things that are not good for their future.”

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Essaunce fondly remembered one time when she and the children grew, picked and cooked garden potatoes.

“We got the kids to dig out … the potato hills and then I had some water for the kids to wash the potatoes and then I sliced them all up and then I put them in a deep fryer and I made french fries for them, “ she said. “They were … amazed and, you know, really excited about the fact that they were able to dig these out of the ground and then eat french fries.”

This is a year-round program, and so in the winter Essaunce hosts a weekly indoor gathering, where they do a number of activities: baking, jam making, juice making, and watching movies.

“You know, they say it takes a community to raise a child and so this is what this is, it’s one of those pieces of helping those children … to reach their potential,” she said.

The free program can see 15 to 20 children aged three to 15 years, depending on the time of year.  Essaunce said she has received several donations of mittens, hats, socks, crochet blankets and funding, which all help her continue the program.

To inquire about this program please email Essaunce here.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1