Chaeli’s Upside Down Schools Challenge
Give your child the opportunity to thrive in Chaeli’s Upside-Down Schools Challenge — a truly inclusive, hands-on learning experience where every child can succeed.
In partnership with the Chaeli Campaign, this challenge was intentionally designed so that any child, regardless of ability or background, can participate, engage, and do well. There is no single “right way” to grow — only curiosity, care, and commitment. This shared belief is exactly why Cangro partnered with the Chaeli Campaign: both organisations champion inclusion, self-belief, and the understanding that potential looks different in every child.
Starting in September, learners will have 8 weeks to grow the biggest, healthiest upside-down tomato plant possible. Endorsed by the Department of Education and the Wits Centre for Entrepreneurial Thinking, the challenge is open to schools across the country and is accessible to all.
The upside-down tomato is more than a growing method — it’s a powerful symbol. It represents resilience, challenging what’s considered “normal”, and the ability to thrive under difficult or unexpected conditions. Just like the plant, children learn that growth is possible even when circumstances aren’t perfect.
Beyond gardening, participants develop vital life skills such as planning, perseverance, empathy, responsibility, and confidence — skills that extend far beyond the classroom and into everyday life.
It’s also a meaningful, hands-on activity the whole family can take part in, sharing the journey from planting to harvest — with a great prize as a bonus.
Enter your child today and give them the chance to learn, grow, and shine — in their own way, at their own pace.
Win an incredible PlayStation 5 for growing the biggest, healthiest upside-down tomato plant!
Sponsored by KOODOO.co.za
Inclusion & Community
Help grow a smile (and a tomato!)
Not every child has the means to take part in the Upside-Down Tomato Challenge — but with your support, they can. In partnership with the Chaeli Campaign, we’re on a mission to make this a fully inclusive competition where all children — regardless of background or ability — can grow, thrive, and belong.
What your sponsorship does…
- Covers a learner’s full entry into the challenge
- Provides the materials needed to grow an upside-down tomato plant
- Supports weekly learning activities focused on sustainability, inclusion, and self-belief
- Helps grow a garden of opportunity, one can at a time
★★★★★
“My daughter Zoe was so excited, she could not wait for us to get home to tell us all about it! Awesome project!!”
Glynis Anders De Vos
Parent
★★★★★
“Firstly I would like to say that this is such an awesome project you guys are running. Really inspiring and motivational. My daughter is so committed to this project.”
Juanita Kariem
Parent
★★★★★
“Dear Cangro,
Thank you so much for allowing us this wonderful opportunity. We often spoke amongst ourselves at your great way with the children!
I was so impressed with your love and generosity with our learners. You have a well-coordinated team. Whenever you visited our school you were punctual and listened so patiently to all the stories that the learners had.
We wish you great success with the future and thank you for enlightening us and our learners.
Lots of love “
Eloise
Teacher – Goodwood Park Primary
★★★★★
“Over the past few weeks we have seen first-hand the incredible power of the Cangro project, not only in terms of its impact on local school children but on the local community”
Natalie Dippenaar
Marketing manager – N1 City Mall
