Organic rooftops farm in Palestinian Refugee Camps

Fouad is a Palestinian refugee living in Burj Barajneh camp in Beirut, where space is limited and access to fresh, affordable food can be challenging. Despite these constraints, Fouad was eager to find practical ways to improve his living conditions and support his household.

Through Jafra’s rooftop gardening initiative, Fouad gained hands-on training in urban agriculture, learning how to make the most of small spaces to grow vegetables and herbs. Motivated and committed, he began applying these techniques on his own rooftop, gradually transforming it into a productive green space.

What makes Fouad’s journey especially inspiring is his continued dedication beyond the training. He is still actively implementing what he learned, experimenting with new types of crops, most recently introducing a new variety of tomatoes to his garden. Fouad remains in close contact with Jafra’s engineer, regularly sharing photos of his progress and seeking technical advice to improve his results. This ongoing communication reflects both his commitment to learning and the sustained support provided by Jafra.

During Ramadan, Fouad’s rooftop garden became especially valuable. As the war affected the region and movement was restricted, many people struggled to access markets and buy fresh vegetables. As a result of his harvest, Fouad was able to rely on his own production to support his household, ensuring access to fresh food during a particularly difficult time.

Today, Fouad’s rooftop garden contributes to his household’s food needs and represents a growing source of knowledge and self-reliance. His initiative highlights how continuous guidance and individual perseverance can turn learning into long-term impact.

Due to your continued support, more individuals like Fouad are able to transform knowledge into sustainable solutions for their households. Your contribution helps turn rooftops into reliable sources of food, resilience, and dignity.

During the winter months in Shatila Camp, Fouad tcontinued applying new skills to transform his rooftop into a productive green space. Despite cold weather and limited resources, he began cultivating winter crops that now contribute directly to his household’s daily food needs.

Over time, Fouad developed a strong understanding of organic planting methods, from soil preparation to crop care. He became increasingly confident in managing his planting cycle independently, using his harvest for home consumption and occasionally sharing surplus produce with nearby families, strengthening social ties within the camp.

Access to suitable water remained one of the main challenges Fouad faced, as the camp’s water supply is often not appropriate for irrigation. With technical guidance and the support provided through the project, he learned to rely on rainwater collection during the winter season, allowing him to sustain his rooftop garden despite these constraints.

Fouad’s rooftop now reflects more than agricultural success, it represents resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance in a challenging environment. Because of your support, initiatives like this continue to enable camp residents to improve food security, reduce household expenses, and inspire others to see rooftops as opportunities rather than limitations.