Gardens Give Hope, Health, and Income in E. Africa

Dear Friend,

Thanks to your generosity, we are proud to partner with Women Relief Aid (WRA) in South Sudan to support young women and mothers with agricultural resources and training. By strengthening their skills to grow vegetables and sell surplus crops, women in this program are improving both household nutrition and income. 

One program participant shared the following testimony, which captures the impact of this work:

“This vegetable growing program has improved my family’s nutritional status and household income. Before getting involved in Women Relief Aid’s women vegetable growing program, I used to have a lot of challenges acquiring seeds and skills to handle the crops in the garden, which made me not harvest much. Joining Women Relief Aid’s vegetable growing program helped me to get enough knowledge and skills to handle modern farming techniques that yield high quality products, For example, planting in line, setting up nursery beds. I picked up this knowledge and I started putting it into action by planting five different varieties of crops (Amarathus, Cowpeas, Tomatoes, Eggplants and Sukukma wiki). As I continue to sell surplus of my vegetable products to the local markets, it has really improved my household income. I am using the money to pay the school fees for my children, and getting other household basic needs. I say no more poverty again in my family and I am so much empowered by this program, big thanks to funders for standing firm with women of South Sudan.”

Despite these successes, many South Sudanese families remain in urgent need of support. More than 7.5 million people, over half the country’s population, are projected to experience hunger next year due to ongoing conflict and decreasing global aid. The risk is especially severe during the annual lean season from April to June, when food supplies are at their lowest.

In 2026, we are expanding our efforts and supporting South Sudanese refugees living at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. This initiative will provide agricultural training and resources that increase access to nutrient-rich vegetables and create opportunities for income generation through the sale of surplus crops. In response to reduced food rations and growing food insecurity, the program will equip women with essential skills, tools, and resources to grow diverse, nutritious crops and apply post-harvest preservation techniques to reduce food loss.

On behalf of the women farmers we serve, thank you for your commitment and partnership. Together, we are sowing resilience, dignity, and hope where it is needed most.