We received a really heart-warming piece of feedback about our “Seeds 4 Hope” project this week. A social worker, who is one of the local coordinators of the project, and a resident of the shelter who participates in the project, told us about their experience: 

We are very glad that we have been given the opportunity to participate in Budapest Bike Maffia’s Seeds 4 Hope project, which lets people living here do some gardening. I think this method you introduced us to is very smart. Our Gardening Club came to life thanks to your help and it is a useful activity for people living here. We would like to use vegetables grown by the Gardening Club in our Cooking Club so that we can include more residents in these useful past-time activities. These activities can bring people together, and the time they spend together makes allows them to get to know and accept each other. We had a really good time while working together. We water the plants regularly and the seeds are already waking up. We follow it every day. We have bought a watering gun that makes watering easier. I would like to thank you, also on the behalf of the club members. We are looking forward to continuing our cooperation. Thank you Budapest Bike Maffia, on behalf of the residents and employees of the Madrid temporary shelter of the Hungarian Red Cross

By Lászlóné Püski, case managing social worker, Hungarian Red Cross Budapest Division

Csaba Szöllősi, member of the Gradening Club speaks about the cooperation:

How did you like setting up the garden?

It was a fantastic experience to be a member of an enthusiastic team. It was a real recharging of batteries.

What was the most difficult and the easiest task?

There were no difficult tasks because we split the work. Time just flew by and it was a nice pastime.

What did you like the most?

The fact the volunteers and hard-working team members came from a wide variety of places. We could work together by helping each other. The work was well-organized and the atmosphere was excellent.

How do you think of the project as a whole? Are you looking forward to planting in May? 

I like the project and I look forward to the coming stages. I’ll be sure to participate in planting in May, which, as far as I know, will be combined with a community cooking. The atmosphere will surely be good. 

How do you plan on tending the garden?

On a voluntary basis, regularly, every day, and to the best of our knowledge.