Growing Plants and People

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is using a half-hectare piece of land in New Plymouth, New Zealand, to grow not just plants, but people, too.

Two years ago, Sarah* started a new job in New Plymouth, New Zealand. She started out very slow, would not talk to anyone and, at times, would disappear for hours. But her employers did not give up on her. Instead, they encouraged her and continued to teach her new skills. Now, Sarah is amazing both staff and family with her confidence and has set her sights on a career in horticulture.

Sarah, who is autistic, works at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) New Start Gardens, which provides on-thejob training for young people struggling with unemployment. She was initially introduced to the program by U-Turn Community Training Services to get practical experience. She was then sponsored by a Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) unemployment office. Sarah has just completed a six-month contract at the New Start Gardens, with her Horticulture Level 2 and most of her Agriculture Level 2 completed.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA ) is using a half-hectare piece of land in New Plymouth, New Zealand, to grow not just plants, but people, too.

ADRA’s New Start Gardens employs eight young people at a time in vegetable gardens on a half-hectare property.

The employees also do gardening work for local residents. While working in the gardens, the young people receive training in nationally recognised horticulture units. They also develop good work ethics, teamwork and communication skills.

In addition, ADRA’s New Start Gardens provides equipment, such as spades, shovels and other gardening implements, to help participants get started. As they work through the program, their wages are adjusted to pay for the equipment.

When they complete a contract with New Start Gardens, the young people have training and equipment to get started in their career.
Tony* has also benefited from his time on the New Start Garden project. Tony had completed his school education but because he is hearing-impaired, he had been unable to find employment due to safety issues. When Tony expressed an interest in horticulture, his mother rang ADRA. Tony agreed to attend the New Start Gardens program for one day a week as a trial. He has worked the full four-day week ever since! Tony received sponsorship from WINZ and now has experience to record on his résumé.

Most employees are recommended to ADRA’s New Start Gardens by the local unemployment office and often have faced long-term unemployment or have been unmotivated. WINZ subsidise the employee’s wages on a six-month contract.
While on the job, employees also receive assistance applying for jobs.

ADRA’s New Start Garden project is highly recognised by government agencies, which are eager to continue placing young people in the program. Those in the program are happy with their success, too, with nearly 80 per cent of those who complete the six-month program going on to further, paid employment.

And the community benefits, too. Vegetables from the gardens are used by local church volunteers who operate a mobile soup kitchen every Friday afternoon.

Sarah, Tony and many others’ lives have been bettered by the ADRA New Start Gardens project. But even more await participation in the program. Your continued support of ADRA can enable life-changing, new starts in even more lives where ADRA works in New Zealand and around the world.

*Name has been changed to protect privacy.