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South African neighborhood turns purple

Lavender Hill is one of the areas in Cape Town, South Africa with a serious gang problem and the highest unemployment rate. Subsequently, there are many cases of drug abuse and domestic violence. Marcelle van Zyl started a project in the area called Lavender in Lavender Hill. The idea is to keep the youth off the street and create employment opportunities by cultivating lavender and making soaps, teas and oils with the plant. The project started last year, but is lacking funds and therefore cannot employ more than five people at the moment. But Marcelle is working hard to keep the initiative going, as it is impacting positively on the community.

Listen to the report by Faatimah Hendricks:

Lavender Hill

For more on the Lavender Hill project, go to their Facebook page.

Lavender Foundation sign

Lavender fields

Marcelle wants to purple the neighborhood

Lavender project

The Lavender project doesn't just beautify, it brings jobs for locals

Date

Tuesday 28.02.2012 | 16:17

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