Project Launch:

With limited access to health facilities and fresh fruits and vegetables, Mboula is characterized by high malnutrition rates, especially among children and young people. The closest market is 45 kilometers away, a long trek from the community. In collaboration with the Mboula Women’s group, this project will create a communal garden, providing women with a source of income and pride, and the community with access to nutritious foods. A chain-link and live fences will be built around the garden to provide protection from weather and grazing animals, and the women’s group will receive business trainings to maximize the productivity of their garden space.

Progress Update: 1/27/2017

The garden now has its exterior gate erected. The women are now cultivating initial seedlings at home for final transplantation to the new garden.

Final Report: 4/13/2017

The garden is now operating! A governmental organization, Grand Miur Vert (Great Green Wall), has partnered with the women's group to finance and help run the garden. They have been able to pay for additional fencing, an irrigation system that saves water, tools, seeds, and a trained agricultural technician who is currently working full time in the garden to aid the women in setting up and maintaining it.

Testimonials

"This garden has changed the status of the community greatly. The women members have a large and secure space now to expand their work and contribute to an important part of Mboula's development. The project provides a long-term solution to one of the community's biggest health concerns for women and children. This project will not only impact the people of Mboula, but also many of the surrounding small villages that will come to Mboula to purchase fruits and vegetables." - Ingrid, Peace Corps Volunteer

"With the assistance of our Peace Corps Volunteer and a partnering government organization, the women's group has a chance to make this project sustainable for a long time. What the group could not do on their own is build a secure and large space, or be able to afford the initial water bills and the price of seeds. With the fence given to us by World Connect, we have a secure area that will last us for years and years to come." - Daba, Project Leader

"Today we bought watermelon from the garden. Nowhere else in this area do people have watermelon, but we do! And it is delicious!" - Fata, Local Resident

"Vegetables and fruit are hard to find at this time of year. The hot dry season has started and cooking nutritious meals becomes very difficult. I'm happy the garden has already brought okra, watermelon, hibiscus, and potatoes to Mboula. And the fruit trees that have been planted will bring much more to come!" - Amy, Local Resident