Adapting

It has been 3 months since our refugees first planted. When we first started this project, our biggest concern was how successful the refugees would be.  None had gardened in the U.S. let alone Columbia, and we were not sure how well our refugees would adapt to growing here. To compound the problem, this has been an unseasonably wet summer that has made gardening difficult for everyone in Columbia, not just the refugees. Amazingly though, our refugees have not only adapted to the new climate and soil but also adapted to this year’s difficult growing season.

At the beginning of the season, many of our refugees heavily planted peppers, tomatoes, corn, and eggplants in their plots. Unfortunately the rain has limited these plants’ production. Once again though, our refugees not only adapted but have succeeded in their plots.

It is hard to tell which African plot belongs to which African as they have allowed their beans to all grow together.

The Iraqi brothers have forgone their tomatoes to focus on their flowers. They have the most colorful plot at the garden.

Our Burmese have removed their corn, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant and focused on growing okra (above) and Chin Baung (below). They have even found a small market for the Chin Baung.

Thanks for reading. I hope you can make it out to the garden before the growing season comes to a close. Thank you for all your support and interest that has made this year possible for our refugees.

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