Juana, a single mother of three, has found hope in her new family garden. She was struggling to provide for her children, but when CEPAD came to her community a few years ago, she was interested in the Family Gardening Program.

“What really caught my attention was when they told me the would be planting in small areas to take advantage of every space in our yards. With the workshops and materials received, I now grow pepper, onion, tomato, carrots, watermelon, squash, cucumbers, radish, pineapple, papaya, and yucca. I make my own compost and insecticides as well as save seeds from my harvest for the following season. Now I have quality produce to feed my family!”

Juana and her children now have food security and access to a nutritionally-balanced diet. Not only that, but Juana has found her garden to provide a therapeutical outlet as she grieves.

“I lost my sister and her two children to Hurricane Eta last year. We were very close, and the loss was difficult. But working my garden has helped me to heal.”

We are thankful that Juana is finding healthy ways to process her grief, and can’t wait to see how her garden grows in the next few seasons.

To provide other women the same opportunity as Juana, partner with us here.