Expanding Hope

The majority of our future growers were once farmers and have been waiting for an opportunity to grow again in the U.S.

S Barry is one of these refugees.

She has been growing her own little garden made of empty milk cartons on the back  porch of her apartment. Here she is with her Chin Baung plants. She acquired these seeds from her refugee friends that live in Des Moines. It really is amazing how resourceful refugees can be! Unfortunately, these Chin Baung plants will not grow any larger because of their small containers. The plants, when they reach their full potential, should be as tall and wide as S Barry.

Next year, when she has her own garden space the Chin Baung should reach their full potential, giving the Burmese refugees a little taste of home.

These Chin Baung plants are a lot like our refugees.  Unable to reach their full potential because the resources simply aren’t available and the obstacles too large. Our hope is that the plants will flourish and grow in this garden and that the Burmese women will do the same.

And that is what the garden is all about. Giving these women the tools to reach their full potential.

If you think you would like to donate to the cause, contact me at pstroessner@diojeffcity.org.  I will be making a budget page/tab here in the next few weeks so you can better see what the needs are and where exactly your money will be going.

Thanks for reading!