Learn to Grow is an outdoor educational centre that provides opportunities for people to connect with nature and learn about the principles of permaculture.
Founder of Learn to Grow, Reem Yateem spent 10 years working in education in California where she saw first-hand how beneficial outdoor learning can be for young children. In October 2021, she decided to launch a holistic permaculture educational program in a small garden behind her parent’s home in Adliya. The classes were incredibly well received by the community, so in October 2022 the organisation expanded and moved to a new site in Janabiya.
So far, over 600 people have participated in a diverse range of classes, which take place at school clubs, camps and on fieldtrips. Each class provides young people with an immersive experience in nature while developing their problem-solving, collaborative and creative skills. Students can harness the health benefits of being in nature and enjoy the balanced offering of science, art, movement, mindfulness and nutrition.
Class topics include compost or soil health, native birds or insects, painting with seeds, free play with shovels and mud, and breathing or yoga routines. The field trips are more structured and academic to meet Bahraini school standards and focus on seed germination, weather patterns and the history of resources.
In July 2022, Learn to Grow partnered with the Rotary Club of Salmaniya to install a sensory garden for Alia Rehabilitation Centre. The garden was designed to give autistic learners the space to explore their five senses.
Yateem says the best moments arise when learners are driven to ask questions and continue learning at home. “We want children to develop a deeper relationship with the land they live on. We believe that this can ignite a sense of belonging that will push them to conserve our planet.”
Permaculture classes
Learn to Grow also has a Permaculture Club for kids that meets every Tuesday.
“It’s important for young people to learn about permaculture because it encourages them to think about the natural resources that they use everyday,” says Yateem. “It pushes them to consider how much energy goes into turning on their lights, taking a shower and eating a cheeseburger.
“Permaculture connects us to the footprint and affect we have on our planet whether positive or negative. Once we understand this we can start to think of ways we can change our actions to positively impact and regenerate the world around us,” she concludes.