Gardening is about more than food for young people learning English

For 16-year-old Albert Lotemo, the simple act of putting his hands in the dirt brings a sense of delight he hasn't felt since leaving Africa. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Zambia, Albert recalls working daily on harvests of maize, cassava, oranges, bananas, lemons, and pineapples as part of his agricultural studies. Now, six months into his studies at Blackburn English Language School's (BELS) Wodonga campus in north-east Victoria, Australia, he's experiencing the joy of gardening in a new land. BELS serves as a vital bridge for young migrants and refugees with limited English proficiency, helping them transition into mainstream educational settings. The school has partnered with the youth mental health organization Headspace, supported by local entity Gateway Health, to cultivate a new garden. This initiative is designed to assist students in navigating the challenges of adapting to a new country. Refugees often face a higher risk of mental health issues but are less likely to seek help due to various barriers, including unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, stigma, financial constraints, language difficulties, and lack of transportation. The BELS garden project directly addresses these issues by providing a space for students to connect with each other and their new community, a process that doesn't solely depend on their English skills. Local Headspace cultural connections coordinator Ruby Huang emphasizes that the garden offers a safe environment for young people to share their traditions and knowledge while working collaboratively. She envisions the project expanding into cooking classes, where students can "grow what they eat and eat what they grow." The prospect of students bringing produce from the garden home for their parents to cook is particularly exciting. Science teacher Regina Glass notes that gardening is a common point of connection for newly arrived students. She highlights the presence of community gardens in the Wodonga area, many of which are run by migrants. The BELS garden will be integrated into the science curriculum for its 21 students, who hail from Congolese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, and Indian backgrounds. Ms. Glass believes the project offers crucial "mental oxygen" for students overwhelmed by the demands of learning a new language and culture.

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I was planting the food like maize, cassava … some orange, banana … and lemon and pineapple.