I have never planted anything in my life.

It was in 1999 when this idea of a garden hit me.

After my husband passed away in 1985, I was at a lost for a long time, living with my children for a while, moving and travelling and tried to live with my shildren again, until I got tired of this. You see, I had twelve children all natural births, six boys and six girls. My husband Galo Sr. wanted a big family and this is what happened.I WAS THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF then, but after my children grew up and I stayed with them, I was reduced to being a private. I was not happy. So I decided to apply for my own apartment with the Toronto Housing Corporation.

After a few weeks, I got a noticed that Iwas approved to move. There were horro stories that were told to me by my children, about seniors being mugged, killed in this so called independent living. I WAS ADAMANT. I WANTED MY FREEDOM. I WANTED TO SPREAD MY WINGS! I WANTED TO BE HAPPY, TO OUCH SOMEONE, TO SHARE LIFE WITH THE LIVING, TO BE OF WORTH TO OTHERS AND TO ME AND TO MY FAMILY!

So, I did. The apartment complex was devoid of the things I was used to. You see, I lived in a condimium before and this public housing was a far cry from where I lived before.

I bit my tongue and ventured on in my new life and my new surroundings.

I saw that life for others in the building was vacant, meaningless. WHY? THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO!

So, I started  to join the only Club around, the Seniors Club. The only function they had was a Bingo held every Monday and Fridays.

Election day came. I ran for Vice President. I won.

After this, I organized a Tenant Association.

So many registered. I was amazed.

Monthly, we had parties and recognition of seniors celebrating their birthdays. I made it a point to have a certificate signed by the Prime Minister of Canada congratulating them on their Natal Day.

Things were building up for me. I was getting busy. THIS WAS GOOD.

Then in 1999, a Male tenant in the building was killed by a Prostitute. YOU SEE THIS IS A NEED. Even Seniors have that.

I looked around me. I still saw a lot of seniors unhappy and always complaining that they have nothing to do.

SO WHAT ABOUT STARTING A GARDEN?

I approached the Housing management and was told that I need thousands of dollars to do this.

I was dismayed.

I was summoned to appear in the City Council meeting.

THIS WAS MY CHANCE! I talked with City Council and "GIVE ME A GARDEN!"  AMEN!IT MATERIALIZED!

Then I met Laura Berman, who is the Foodshare Coordinator and she gave me a push to start my garden.

St. Christopher House got into the deal. Shawn Conway, the  Distric Developer helped us and we approached the area banks to give us monetary support, the banks did. Miss Marcia Baroudi also pitched in $500.00. Home Depot gave us the concrete blocks and the compose and soil. Then the Jewish Synagogue where Miss Berman was associated stepped in, rolled their sleeves and went to work.

I found 15 willing gardeners!

This is the first year.

 

We were also given an award to be the Most Beautiful Community Garden in the Greater Toronto Area and was awarded $2,000.00 of which I utilized to buy our garden tools, the manure and to spend it also for the annual garden festivities which we have started celebrating in August.

As an aggregate to the Garden of Eden, I founded the Breakfast Club which served meals for two dollars every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. This helped a lot of Seniors who can not cook for themselves anymore. The proceeds in this Club went to projects we had like a barbecue on Canada Day, July 1 of every year. It was a free lunch.

 

Year 2001, we expanded the garden and fenced it in.

I had 38 volunteer gardeners! We also had two garden coordinators, seniors who  are also tenants in the building. The fencing cost $5000.00 and it was donated

by Council member of Pardale-High Park Kris Kuzinsky.

 

On the third year, I decided to move back to the condiminium owned by my oldest daughter, Melita and towards August  when we annualy have a harvest party, I also had my Farewell party held at the Conference room.

We did not have enough money for the annual harvest gathering, and our beloved MP Ms. Sarmite D. Bulte donated $500.00 that is why we had such a good time.

At the moment Shawn Conway is in charge of the garden.

Last year, an International conference was held in Toronto and many delegates who were interested in Community Gardening came and four Americans who came said, "The Garden of Eden is the most beautiful community garden in North America."

Oh yes, in 2003, a film company came and made a video of the garden and it was shown in the Home and Garden channel.

At my age, I never thought that I could still accomplish such a feat.

If you are in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area, do stop by and visit our Garden of Eden.

"Man is closest to God when you are looking at the wonders of Planting and seeing the Fruits of your labor."

Oh, yes, the produce was consummed by the gardeners, some of them sold it for profit.