Masindi Garden Project

We began a community garden project in the very remote “bush” village of Masindi, Uganda, where we have been working since 2013. The people of this village are extremely poor and live like people in the 1700”s. Most are farmers who make their living “off the land” by raising very basic crops such as cassava, corn, beans, Irish potatoes, and sweet potatoes, which is basically all they eat and live on. Because Uganda is located on the equator, we brought many different kinds of seed packets for this project, which were grown in the USA during hot summer months.

While we were there, we demonstrated planting different kinds of seeds to about twenty different families, who were then given a plot of land to grow food on for one year. Six of those twenty grew peanuts and beans for their family’s food, but sold most of them and used the profit they made to buy some farm animals.

To help promote good nutrition in their families, the remainder of the group experimented with growing all different kinds of vegetables. This was life changing for them! They were so eager to learn and wanted to change their destiny! They just needed someone who really cared about them, loved them and would take the time to teach, train, equip and empower them. They are very kind, heartwarming and intelligent people, but lack the knowledge and education to help bring change. Their lives and families have been forever changed because of this project.

Dr. Simon and FOLA partnered together to begin a community project. We chose the 20 poorest families in the area around the farm and started 5 new soap businesses to help alleviate sickness and disease. To help nutritionally, Dr. Simon taught the targeted families the importance of hygiene, cleanliness, nutrition and began a community garden.