Seedlings help pay it forward
The Matamata Intermediate students of room three are a lively, excited and caring group of children.
That is the description from room three teacher, Jaime McIntyre.
The class decided to take it upon themselves to grow seedlings and donate them to the Matamata Community Garden.
The seedlings are part of the New World Little Garden promotion.
‘‘They’re very genuine. When they said let’s grow some vegetables and donate them to the community, so that everyone has fresh vegies to eat for dinner, and then on the way back from doing such a task, they then ask to pick up rubbish, they actually meant it,’’ said McIntyre.
‘‘I think this is such a beautiful trait to have, and I am a lucky teacher to have 32 children in my class that all possess this special trait, and who truly use it to help the greater good.’’
On Tuesday, November 22, 10 students representing room three, walked down to the community gardens located at the back of the Union Parish Church on Peria Road, and planted 100 plants.
Vegetables included lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, chili and a range of herbs as well.
McIntyre, said Jan Mott, who runs the community garden was extremely helpful in preparing the garden beds.
Jan, along with her late husband John and a small dedicated band of helpers, started the community gardens three years ago. The garden is available for the whole community.
‘‘Keeping the gardens alive keeps John’s memory and all his hard work ongoing in supporting our community. I want everyone to know the community garden is flourishing thanks to my supporters,’’ said Mott.
McIntyre said room three’s wish is the donated vegetables will ‘bloom like crazy, and help to feed the wider whanau’.
‘‘We would love to see these vegetables helping families in need, especially for Christmas lunch. Please, pop down and help yourself to some vegetables to enjoy with your family on Christmas Day. Nothing would make us happier.
‘‘A big thank you to all of those that helped room three to collect the little gardens, so that we could grow and donate them to the community gardens.
‘‘Paying it forward is probably the most beautiful thing in the world,’’ she said.