Close to two months after installing Jamaica’s first ‘eco-village’ in Golden Heights, Denham Town, the Making An Impact All-Together (MAIA) Foundation recently returned to the community to expand the urban garden. 

MAIA Foundation CEO Marvin Campbell, in an interview with Our Today, explained that the expansion project was undertaken through a partnership with the GraceKennedy Foundation and other donors. 

Lauding the strong camaraderie, Campbell described heartwarming scenes as the more than 70 children and 50 Denham Town community members pridefully reaped fresh callaloo, okra, and sorrel.

Denham Town was abuzz with activity from as early as 6:00 am last Sunday (November 28), as Golden Heights welcomed scores of volunteers, including Argentinian Ambassador to Jamaica, Luis Del Solar and Cultural Attaché at the German Embassy in Kingston, Sara Azadan.

It was a positive about-face for the adult leaders of the community, who, back in mid-September, didn’t initially warm up to the idea unlike the eager and enthusiastic children.

“We have been in Denham Town for the last six weeks and we have grown fond of the community; we have seen where the community members [came] out and actively took part in their eco-village. It was all meant for the Golden Heights,” Campbell explained.

“The garden really started to grow on the community, which I love to see and it’s what I was hoping for. With all the buy-in, I realised now was the time to expand the eco-village, [when] the GraceKennedy Foundation came on board. They heard about it, took a look, we had a few discussions and they said they would love to be a part [and] if they could assist in any shape or form,” he told Our Today.

The purpose-driven group of hands got to work from as early as 6:00 am, and with even greater passion, the expansion was effectively complete by just after noon. 

Impressed by the unity and togetherness on display, even members of the Denham Town Police got in on the action, Campbell recalled with gratitude. 

“The entire eco-village was buzzing with community members and volunteers working hand-in-hand and to really top it up, the JCF, who we needed to advise just as a procedure, they helped to plant as well! It was really a sight to behold…it was wonderful,” the MAIA founder exclaimed.

Now doubled in size, the Denham Town eco-village now dominates a 400-foot x 100-foot area adjacent to the Golden Heights housing scheme along Hannah Street. The space, once barren and choked by garbage, is a living, blooming heart inside the West Kingston community. 

The urban garden, built upon its nutrient-rich foundation of compost, is also retrofitted with water tanks for dry periods and perimeter fencing.

The MAIA Foundation’s mission in Denham Town is far from over, Campbell told Our Today, as, now encouraged by the entire community coalescing around the initiative, he wants to take it even further. 

“That’s exactly what we were hoping for; the eco-village is crossing bridges and breaking down walls. We wanted people to be closer to each other in the community and I must tell you—I couldn’t be happier,” he disclosed.

Another phase of the project is slated for later this month, as well as a “top-secret” surprise for the foundation’s MVPs in Denham Town—its children.

• Related article: MAIA Foundation installs Jamaica’s first ‘eco-village’ in Denham Town