Before the Widows’ Gardens Project came to southwestern Uganda, survival for a widow without access to land meant working literally from hand to mouth. On a good day, a single mother of four kids, say, would labour in fields owned by others for a daily ration of food to take home to cook for the evening meal.
The Widows’ Gardens Project contracts with local landowners to allow each widow three-quarters of an acre to grow her beans and maize crops for one year (two planting seasons). After this, the widow would be in a position to sell some of her harvest to renew the lease year after year, independent of the project. To date, 361 widows have been assisted in this way, and all of the first two intakes (152 widows) have gone on to renew their leases at the end of the first year.
Thanks to the generous support of Comox Valley donors and others, the six-year goal of food security for 361 widows has now been achieved, in just three years. The project will continue for another three years, taking the possibility of food security to other communities in southwestern Uganda.
There are two paid employees in Uganda, whose costs are covered by specific donors. Beyond this, 100 per cent of donated funds to the Widows’ Gardens Project go directly to provide leases and seeds for the widows.
To help the project financially, a cheque can be written to Living Hope Church and be sure to indicate Widows’ Gardens Project on the memo line at the bottom left of the cheque. In this way the funds will be properly accounted for and you will receive a tax receipt in February 2020. Cheques can be sent directly to the church office c/o Living Hope Church, #130 – 2401 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay BC V9N 2L5, or better yet, could drop them into the donation basket at the upcoming benefit concert.
On the evening of Friday, May 10, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Hall in Comox (218 Church Street) the tirrd annual Project Fundraiser will take place. Tickets will be $10 at the door which opens at 6 p.m. for a sale of African crafts and fabric at friendly prices. The musical program, featuring The Drum Buds and Sabine Black, will start at 7 p.m. We recommend that people arrive soon after 6 p.m. to be sure of a seat. There will be refreshments served halfway through the evening.
For more information, please contact livinghope@shaw.ca