Malaysian community garden advocate hopes to see one set up in every neighourhood
“I believe that community gardens can be the balm that heals the disconnect in today’s fast-moving society.”
By WONG LI ZA
The Star
Aug 27, 2021
Excerpt:
One of the earliest proponents of urban farming in the country is Subur Community Gardens. It was founded by garden enthusiast and former health writer Chan Li Jin as a social enterprise in Dec 2012.
Subur’s purpose is to encourage communities to come together to grow their own food and learn about planting.
“I started Subur mainly because I wanted to share the love and benefits of gardening with people. As an avid gardener, I often felt that gardening had changed my life in so many ways.
“One of the things I often tell people is that you will never feel the same way about life once you have eaten something that you have planted yourself.
“You know how people discard the chopped chillis, spring onions, garlic or tomatoes that are used to flavour or garnish dishes? If you have experienced the process of growing it from seed, you will have renewed respect for those little bits of vegetables! They are different because you can taste the original and authentic taste of vegetables that are grown pesticide-free,” said Chan, 51.
Having been a health writer for over a decade, she kept hearing the same advice from medical experts when it comes to all the various diseases – that the best prevention is a healthy lifestyle with exercise, sunshine (Vitamin D), a good diet and good sleep.
“That’s everything that gardening provides. There is an abundance of scientific research on how gardening improves physical and psychological health, such as for dementia, anxiety, depression and skin conditions such as eczema. It also helps in anti-ageing,” explained Chan.
