Seeds and Skills for Women to Grow Vegetables

Hi there folks, 

This project update comes from our partners at Preserve International and the Swinga Women’s Group. They are working to grow vegetables from SPI seeds for their community in Yumbe, Uganda. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they are facing several challenges in accomplishing their goal of growing and dehydrating vegetables and fruits for their community.

Currently, Preserve International and the Swinga Women’s Group are still navigating the realities of living and working in a pandemic, such as limited access to supplies and restrictions on movement. Thankfully, they received training using the Sparky Dryer, and payment for their work so far. Because of COVID-19, they are moving towards more income-producing activities, to help improve local economic conditions.

While Preserve International and the Swinga Women’s Group faced challenges with their initial goals and objectives, they are still making great progress. They aren’t just growing vegetables and combating food insecurity and malnutrition, but creating an economic boost for Yumbe. Growing these vegetables gives the group more independence as they contribute greatly to their community. Even early on, the economic impact that growing these vegetables had was massive, helping women and girls in the community continue with their education, and preventing early marriage. 

Slowly but surely, the Swinga Women’s Group reached out to other women’s groups in local communities nearby and developed a support network dedicated to agricultural pursuits. Encouraging the autonomy of these women, whether it’s through growing vegetables or something else entirely, is a great thing. Preserve International said the partnership with the Swinga women’s group grew through these difficult times. They are looking forward to working with them and other women’s groups for years to come.

That being said, the Swinga Women’s Group is still working hard to accomplish their original goals, including becoming self-sustainable with their agriculture. The COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting Uganda and the rest of Africa, so unfortunately, it may be awhile until self-sustainability is reached. However, they are going to keep working and learning, so that they eventually end food insecurity and malnutrition in their community. SPI looks forward to continuing to work with them and thanks donors like you for your support. 

— The SPI Team