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The Garden Project, Week 4: Remembering Their Roots

July 7, 2008

Is Lenga Lenga a weed or a vegetable? That is a matter of place and perspective. Jean Bosco brought the plant from Rwanda, where he used to grow it in his mother's garden.

https://p.dw.com/p/EXYy
Jean Bosco working in the garden

Jean Bosco worked in rural development in Rwanda – before the war that tore the country apart. As the strife between Tutsis and Hutus was occurring, he was representing his government here in Germany. As a member of both ethnic groups, it was impossible for him to return home.

For the past four weeks, Jean Bosco has been trying to grow “lenga lenga”, a spinach-like plant native to his homeland of Rwanda in his plot at the International Garden. There is grows like a weed, but in Germany, snails, slugs and dry soil are making things tough for this otherwise robust plant.

For Jean, working in the garden is a way to keep a connection to his roots, and to his parents, who were lost in the war.

Report: Kateri Jochum