Uganda’s climate is perfect for growing ripe, tropical fruits — mangoes, jackfruit, oranges, passion fruit, pineapple, and so much more. But at the greenhouses we’ve been working in, the bounty is usually limited to vegetables. Vegetables provide many essential nutrients, but the farmers and their families lack regular access to nourishing, delicious fruits.
Yesterday, we were able to provide dozens of farmers with the vegetable seeds they needed and wanted. But today, we focused on fruit!
The greenhouses had a limited selection of fruits—a handful of papaya trees and a large guava tree were planted recently, but not everyone has access to these trees. We supplemented these trees with fruit seeds for all four greenhouses, so that everyone can enjoy a sweet and healthy treat.
Many folks at the greenhouses were especially excited about planting watermelon and passion fruit; both remind them of being at home in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where these fruits thrive. And when the gardens thrive, people thrive, too. Zawadi told us how helpful these seeds would be to her and the community: “We really needed the seeds so we can support other community members, mainly women. Now as members, we’ve made a constitution that all members are to have a backyard garden. I have a backyard garden to feed my children and also to sell. I am very happy to see you here supporting us.”
