Circular Garden of Kanisius Pucangsawit Elementary School

On Monday morning, March 16, 2026, the garden at Kanisius Elementary School in Pucangsawit, Surakarta, looked special, cheering with joy as the students wore their neat uniforms. They enthusiastically planted various green vegetables, including mustard greens, kale, spinach, and bok choy. The students not only planted the vegetables but also tended the garden by weeding and watering them, demonstrating a spirit of togetherness and cooperation.

Givenn, a first-grade student, expressed her joy while planting the vegetables, anticipating the harvest together. This activity is part of Father Joseph M.M.T. Situmorang’s, S.J., initiative to provide holistic education through garden management. Education at the school is not only about academic knowledge but also about environmental stewardship and the benefits of surrounding resources.

Every morning, the children happily came to the garden to watch the plants grow. They learned that from a small seed can grow a great life and that this circular garden can be an inspiration for them. They also learned about patience, responsibility, and cooperation in cultivating the land together.

On April 17, 2026, the students celebrated their first harvest of vegetables, the result of their hard work. They proudly picked the thriving vegetables. The garden is not only a place to grow vegetables, but also a place to learn to appreciate the fruits of their labor. On April 23, 2026, the harvest was made into smoothies with Ms. Stefi, where the children learned to process vegetables into healthy meals with enthusiasm and joy.

The children’s joy was further enhanced when they processed the second harvest, bok choy, into smoothies with Ms. Stefi on April 23, 2026. Ms. Stefi taught the children how to clean and process the vegetables, then serve them as a delicious and healthy dish. With enthusiasm, the children learned that vegetables grown with love can become food to be proud of. The cooking activity felt warm, enjoyable, and educational.

The school garden’s produce was also used to make nutritious Manadonese porridge. The students sat together happily enjoying the fruits of their labor, especially since this was their first time trying Manadonese porridge.

This activity caught the attention of the Mayor of Surakarta, Mr. Respati Achmad Ardianto, and several officials, who visited Kanisius Pucangsawit Elementary School to observe the circular garden tended by students and teachers.

When the Mayor visited the garden, the students warmly welcomed him and showed him the plants they were caring for. They enthusiastically explained how to plant and care for the plants. A memorable moment occurred when the Mayor harvested vegetables with the students, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

This experience became a cherished memory for the students, who felt appreciated for their efforts. The Mayor also expressed his appreciation for the school’s development of the circular garden for learning. This activity is crucial for developing a generation that cares about the environment and understands food security.

The circular garden at Kanisius Pucangsawit Elementary School demonstrates that education is not just about classroom lessons. Students learn about hard work, responsibility, and gratitude for nature’s bounty. They proudly display their harvests, which become healthy food, and understand that food requires effort, care, and patience.

The Mayor’s visit motivated the school community to care for the garden and protect the environment. The students believe that small steps can make a big difference. This garden also forms character, making them love God’s creation and realize their responsibility towards the environment and future generations through daily actions.

Contributor: Novana Herputranti, S.S – Teacher of Kanisius Pucangsawit Elementary School, Surakarta