Bratislava Garden Project

In June, shortly after our arrival in Slovakia, LDS charities was approached by a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Bratislava. This NGO wanted to provide something meaningful for disabled homeless clients who live in the facility to do during their free time. They came up with a plan to grow gardens. Because the ground on their property is full of rocks with poor soil, they proposed making five raised garden boxes. These boxes would be made with wood lumber about 1/2 meter high by 1 x 2 meters. These would be used to grow vegetables, provide gardening opportunities for the clients, and they could consume the harvest.

In Bratislava, the NGO operates two homeless shelters including a night shelter and a day shelter for those challenged with mental and physical disabilities. The day shelter was proposing the project as gardening was found to be therapeutic for various mental illnesses as a calm, quiet, and peaceful activity. Across town was the night shelter for over 100+ homeless people who are provided a place to sleep each night.

In discussing the project with the NGO staff, it became apparent a lot of labor would be needed to build and fill the boxes with dirt. An idea evolved of asking the homeless men at the night shelter to participate in the project.

It was agreed to pay them a small hourly wage for their labors which would help them earn an income. Who better to provide labor then those unemployed and homeless?

We had several meetings with the NGOs manager along with his assistants who helped translate and work out details. They liked the idea of homeless men doing the labor, and agreed to approach the night shelter manager.

The night manager offered to assist in recruiting homeless men to work at the project and stated the small pay could be used to purchase bus and meal vouchers as part of the incentive.

During the planning stage, Bratislava LDS church members were interested in helping in any way possible. One designed the wood garden boxes and agreed to supervise the construction steps of the project. They assisted in tremendous ways throughout the project.

One morning we all met the staff at the local Hornbach hardware store to purchase the materials needed. This included tools such as rakes and shovels as well as hardware and wood preservative. A couple large water containers, plastic sheeting, and lumber to build the boxes was all purchased. The bare wood needed a coating of preservative to withstand the weather and this labor was provided by the day shelter clients and LDS missionaries who volunteered their time.

In September 2017, the building of Garden boxes began. An LDS member provided the supervision along with the staff in directing the laborers in digging, raking, and assisting in construction.

After the five boxes were constructed and placed they needed to be filled with dirt from a nearby compost pile. The project is still in process as next spring the vegetables will be planted.

The shelter staff had also requested new appliances to replace older ones they have used for years.

An inspection found appliances with broken hinges, damaged seals, and duct tape to latch the door shut. LDS Charities agreed to provide three appliances for the shelter including a large freezer, refrigerator, and a small fridge for medicines. The fridge and freezer are used to store donated bulk foods and avoid spoilage.

There are three elements of the best humanitarian projects which include service, sustainability, and self-reliance. The service was provided by homeless men in both shelters, and members of the church including missionaries. Sustainability is accomplished through the solid construction beds and the shelter staff planting vegetables each year. The self-reliance occurs when people till the dirt, plant the seeds, and reap the harvest each year. We are so grateful for the many hands that came together to make this project a success.