Windhoek, 8 August 2026 — The International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), under the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), on Friday, 7 August 2026 officially launched the “Peace My Namibia: A Bowl of Peace, a Patch of Garden” initiative at Moses Van Der Byl Primary School in Windhoek.
The initiative was launched ahead of International Youth Day, observed annually on 12 August, and forms part of IPYG’s global Peace My City campaign. It combines HWPL Peace Education with practical community action through the establishment of a sustainable vegetable garden aimed at supporting the school’s feeding programme while promoting unity, responsibility, teamwork and respect for life among learners.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Simeon Kamati, a teacher at Moses Van Der Byl Primary School, said the school garden aligns with the Ministry of Education’s policy encouraging schools to establish gardens to supplement the nutritional needs of learners.
“The school garden is an initiative that aligns with the Ministry of Education’s policy, which encourages schools to establish gardens to help supplement the nutritional needs of our learners,” Kamati said.
He said the garden would contribute to the Government’s school feeding programme, particularly as some learners arrive at school without having eaten.
“We have realised that many of our learners come to school without having eaten, and this affects their ability to concentrate and perform well in class,” he said, adding that food security remains an important priority in line with Government policy.
Beyond nutrition, the garden is also being used as an educational tool. A learner at the school explained that every class participates in maintaining the garden, with each class allocated a day each week to work in it.
The initiative provides learners with practical knowledge about agriculture while teaching important values such as responsibility, teamwork, environmental awareness and the importance of growing their own food.
The Haihwema Twapewoshali, a learner at Moses Van Der Byl Primary School expressed hope that the garden would continue to expand over the coming years.
“My vision is for it to become a beautiful and sustainable garden that continues to benefit our learners and the wider school community,” she said.
Mr. Robert Maseka, Deputy Chief Branch Manager for HWPL Southern Africa and a member of Namibia’s National School Health Task Force on Integrated School Health Programmes, commended IPYG and Moses Van Der Byl Primary School for launching the initiative.
Maseka described the project as a practical investment in the health, nutrition and education of learners, noting that school gardens can contribute to food security, healthy eating habits and environmental stewardship.
He said the initiative complements the objectives of Namibia’s Integrated School Health Programme by supporting learner well-being while providing learners with hands-on educational opportunities.
Maseka further applauded the partnership between IPYG and the school, saying it demonstrates how collaboration among communities, educational institutions and civil society organisations can create sustainable solutions that improve the lives of children and strengthen the quality of education.
The “Peace My Namibia: A Bowl of Peace, a Patch of Garden” initiative is expected to serve as a practical example of how peace education can be translated into community action, with learners actively contributing to a project that promotes both human well-being and environmental sustainability
