Organic rooftops farm in Palestinian Refugee Camps

The poorer communities in Lebanon continue to struggle economically and do their best to make ends meet on meagre earnings so they can purchase food, water, and hygiene products. "Resourcefulness" is still and remains the watchword. Many parents stopped sending their kids to school since they couldn't afford even the transportation because of a shortage of money and the exorbitant prices.

Jafra's urban rooftop project still makes sense because it helps families and the neighborhood supplement their food budget, particularly in the spring and summer when there is a broader range of crops. The project's participants are now capable of following their cultures on their own. They are able to effectively develop seeds into seedlings and edible veggies season after season.

Not only are the original participants keeping the project continuing, but they are also sharing their skills with their kids, extended relatives, or neighbors who want to join the "crew" of urban gardeners after seeing the amazing success of the rooftop planting.

Jafra is still seeking supplementary funding for this reason; in order to include additional participants from 7 different palestinian camps. Jafra would need to make new investments in planting beds, soil, water, seeds, and, at a later time, greenhouses, efficient watering systems, and the planning of trainings and appropriate follow-ups.

By contributing to the project's development, you would aid to provide the underprivileged areas of Lebanon with their own food supplies, easing some of the financial burden on families. 

Unquestionably, Lebanon is moving closer to a state breakdown, which is plunging the nation farther and deeper into chaos. State-run schools are not working, banks are still stealing depositors' wealth, the value of the local currency is declining, and there is still a shortage of energy. Individuals are going through a difficult winter and are having to rely more on themselves every day.

The urban rooftop project is hopefully still ongoing, thanks to your contributions and other external helps. Families as a whole get some relief when they have access to their own vegetables and herbs and are guaranteed to receive a minimum amount of nutrients in the form of minerals and vitamins. Some people would only eat grains if they didn't have access to those free vegetables.

Jafra started installing greenhouses on each participant's rooftop to increase the profitability of the rooftops, particularly during the winter when fewer varieties are growing. The greenhouses were custom-made to fit each rooftop's specific terrain and participant expectations.

Whether they are still newly installed, some of the greenhouses are already productive and participants enjoy not only their harvests but also the new settings on their rooftop and the daily activity it provides to them. Season after season, the participants learn new techniques and become more professional. In a next step, Jafra will intend to develop the peer-to-peer knowledge transmission to equip new rooftops of the refugee camps in Lebanon. Your new contributions will serve to equip the new rooftops.