On a bright morning in October, the grounds of Burka Primary School in Arusha were filled with excitement. It wasn’t just an ordinary school day. On the 13th of October, 2025, Diet4all arrived to continue its school gardening program, and the entire school community was ready to dig, learn, and grow together.
Planting Seeds of Change
At the heart of the activity was a simple but powerful idea: gardens can transform lives. Students and teachers gathered to learn why gardens matter—not just as patches of green, but as sources of healthy food, family nutrition, and self-reliance.
The session began with conversations about the importance of gardening. Children listened attentively as facilitators explained how even small home gardens could improve a family’s meals and reduce food insecurity. Soon after, theory turned into practice. Tools were handed out, soil was prepared, and vegetable seedlings were planted.
As the children crouched over the soil, their hands covered in earth, they weren’t just learning how to grow vegetables—they were cultivating responsibility, teamwork, and hope.
The School Behind the Garden
Burka Primary School is home to 799 students, with 378 boys and 421 girls. On this day, every single one of them took part. What stood out most was the unity and excitement. Laughter mixed with concentration as students planted seedlings, promising to care for them and teach their families what they had learned.
They proudly called themselves “Garden Ambassadors”—young champions ready to spread the message of sustainability beyond the school fence and into their homes and neighborhoods.
Harvesting More Than Vegetables
The gardening activity brought more than fresh soil and green shoots. It sparked awareness about sustainable living and gave the children confidence to share knowledge with others. Teachers, too, found inspiration in the enthusiasm of their students and the practical lessons that tied education to daily life.
A Challenge Beneath the Surface
Yet, even as the seedlings found their place in the soil, one challenge remained clear: water. Burka Primary School struggles with reliable water access. Students often fetch water from a nearby river, a journey that is both tiring and unsafe. Without a steady water source, maintaining the garden will not be easy.
Looking Ahead
For the garden to flourish, the school needs support—whether through rainwater harvesting systems, water tanks, or community collaboration. With these resources, the garden can become a permanent classroom, feeding not only the body but the mind and spirit of every student.
A Day to Remember
The gardening day at Burka Primary was more than an activity; it was a celebration of growth, learning, and community. Students walked away not just with dirty hands, but with bright ideas about how to improve their homes, their diets, and their environment.
Diet4all’s school gardening initiative continues to show that when you plant a seed in the ground, you also plant seeds of knowledge, resilience, and a healthier future. And at Burka Primary School, those seeds are already beginning to grow.