KT must-reads: A community garden we can feel good about
All around the world, there are people working in the news business who think the only way to get an audience’s attention is either to scare them or make them mad.It doesn’t have to be that way.Certainly, providing the news sometimes means sharing bad news. Any media organisation that was super-positive all the time wouldn’t be much of a news organisation. But leaving out the hopeful, the instructive — the redemptive — in a mad grab for rage-traffic is just as much of a false step. We all see more and more of it, especially in the age of social media.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.So I’m glad when the Khaleej Times audience responds overwhelmingly to a story like they did to one I’m bringing you this week. Mohammed Al Hashemi told Khaleej Times’ Ruqayya Al Qaydi that he wanted to build “a garden for the whole neighbourhood".Starting in 2000, the Emirati began transforming “his home farm into a community pantry, providing fresh vegetables, leafy greens, and other necessities to his neighbours and anyone in need,” we reported late last week.Since then, his “generosity has seen people, including domestic helpers of neighbours, visiting his garden to pick fresh produce". Ruqayya explains how Al Hashemi built his garden step by step over the years and even goes into detail on its operations. For example, he avoids chemical compounds in his fertiliser, relying instead on manure with the occasional fish-based organic supplement.Neighbours swing by to pick what they need: parsley, coriander, basil, peppers and more. Our online photographs — also produced by Ruqayya — show the results.Now Al Hashemi has started teaching workshops on gardening and sharing information on social media. Of the several tens of thousands of readers who dove into that story online, I’m certain more than a few made their way to those gardening videos.We’re going to keep bringing you stories like this at Khaleej Times, where our focus on the UAE and the people who live here — Emiratis and expats alike — is unwavering.That will sometimes mean exploring your concerns and your frustrations, yes. But sometimes, it means giving you something to feel good about.KT must-reads: A dog rescue, planned Indian flight disruptions, and a horrific tragedyKT must-reads: Wills, private schools, and citizenship for companiesDubai: Emirati turns home farm into a 'garden for everyone' to feed community
All around the world, there are people working in the news business who think the only way to get an audience’s attention is either to scare them or make them mad.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Certainly, providing the news sometimes means sharing bad news. Any media organisation that was super-positive all the time wouldn’t be much of a news organisation. But leaving out the hopeful, the instructive — the redemptive — in a mad grab for rage-traffic is just as much of a false step. We all see more and more of it, especially in the age of social media.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
So I’m glad when the Khaleej Times audience responds overwhelmingly to a story like they did to one I’m bringing you this week. Mohammed Al Hashemi told Khaleej Times’ Ruqayya Al Qaydi that he wanted to build “a garden for the whole neighbourhood".
Starting in 2000, the Emirati began transforming “his home farm into a community pantry, providing fresh vegetables, leafy greens, and other necessities to his neighbours and anyone in need,” we reported late last week.
Since then, his “generosity has seen people, including domestic helpers of neighbours, visiting his garden to pick fresh produce".
Ruqayya explains how Al Hashemi built his garden step by step over the years and even goes into detail on its operations. For example, he avoids chemical compounds in his fertiliser, relying instead on manure with the occasional fish-based organic supplement.
Neighbours swing by to pick what they need: parsley, coriander, basil, peppers and more. Our online photographs — also produced by Ruqayya — show the results.
Now Al Hashemi has started teaching workshops on gardening and sharing information on social media. Of the several tens of thousands of readers who dove into that story online, I’m certain more than a few made their way to those gardening videos.
We’re going to keep bringing you stories like this at Khaleej Times, where our focus on the UAE and the people who live here — Emiratis and expats alike — is unwavering.
That will sometimes mean exploring your concerns and your frustrations, yes. But sometimes, it means giving you something to feel good about.
What's Your Reaction?
