BRIGHT and beautiful wild flowers may grow in abundance on the spectacular mountains of Lesotho in the middle of South Africa — but these landscape riches are in stark contrast to a poor and struggling society, where 200,000 children have been left orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. Surrounded by a little piece of South Africa at his nursery in Latchley, Mark Wash is using his skills and his business to help some of these children have a better life. The nurseryman visited an orphanage in Semonkong in Lesotho in January this year while on a research trip to the country and found that there was a mutual interest in growing plants. 'They wanted to grow more vegetables and I wanted to do something constructive for them,' said Mark, who set up Trecanna Nursery six years ago. 'We thought that a polytunnel would extend their growing season by about four months and cultivating a garden fits with everything that I do here in Cornwall.' Mark was accompanied on his trip by chairman of Calstock Parish Council, Jerome Irons, who is hoping to form a link between the orphanage and the community and help raise the £2,000 needed for the polytunnel. 'Going to Lesotho is a real eye opener,' said Mark. 'It is not actually part of South Africa but is like an island in the middle. It is landlocked and on three side of the country, the mountains are so high that you cannot access them unless you are on foot or horseback. 'The main form of transport is the horse and people live in round, thatched huts. It has its own royal family and rules and regulations. 'At the airport there were "wanted" posters of people who had committed high treason — it's like stepping back in time.' Known as the Mountain Kingdom, the country is a peaceful, beautiful place, but is also deeply afflicted. It has one of the world's worst rates of HIV/AIDS infection and people now have a life expectancy of 34 — in 1991 it was 60. Most young people are aware of the risks of HIV and pregnancy but continue to engage in sex with multiple partners and sex without condoms. Incidents of rape and sexual coercion have contributed to the spread of the disease. Combined with poverty and drought, it has left more than half of the population dependent on food assistance. The orphanage in Semonkong, like many others, is supported by the Sentabale charity, set up in 2006 by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry. It helps vulnerable children and young people, particularly those orphaned as a result of AIDS. Mark said the youngest child in the orphanage he visited was just seven weeks old and had lost both its parents: 'A lot of these children have HIV before they start their little lives. 'They have not got a long life but they are very cheery, happy kids and it does not take a lot of money to do something for them. 'I like the fact that they are very enterprising and they already make a special vaseline which they sell to tourists. 'Helping them to grow their own food is better than just shipping it out there, because it creates knowledge and provides an activity plus it is something they asked for. 'This combination of horticulture and helping people in a country which I have a real affection for is a perfect match for us.' Any surplus food which is grown in the polytunnel will be sold to the local village. Mark is also giving something back to an area of the world which has provided a fascination for him in terms of its plants. In the six years since he started the nursery, more and more space has been given over to South African plants: 'They are just lovely things and I focus on the more hardier plants which will survive anywhere in the Westcountry,' he said. 'The colours are so vibrant with all the fiery reds and oranges — a lot of the best flower colours are from South Africa and the plants flower from June onwards, which is when most of our English cottage gardens flowers are burnt out.' The nurseryman specialises in Eucomis (pineapple flower) and Crocosmia of which he stocks 400 different varieties. 'There are in fact only seven varieties of Crocosmia that grow in the wild and my aim is to photograph and observe them for a book that I am writing.' It's a time consuming business, Mark could be travelling for several days just to see one plant growing in the wild and it takes a year in the planning to organise the trip. A conservationist primarily, Mark said the point of travelling to South Africa was to gather information on where and how plants grow. 'We do get sent seed but the reason for going out there is to see these plants growing in the wild and gather information which we can use back at the nursery. 'We try to copy nature to get the best success out of our plants.' Mark gives numerous talks to garden clubs and groups and any donations collected at the end are for charity. In August, Mark, his wife Karen and four children will be hosting their fourth South African Weekend, including a tour of the nursery, plant advice, slide shows, music and refreshments. All money raised will be split between the polytunnel project and Perennial, which is a charity which helps horticulturists in need. Chairman of Calstock Parish Council Jerome Irons said: 'I would like to think as a parish we could assist this small village — it could involve visits for adults and children alike and I am sure it would be an education for all age groups to see this part of the world and the way they live as it was for me.' If anyone would like to make a donation or become involved call Mark Wash on 01822 834680 or Jerome Irons on 01822 832192.
