1,000 Women's Gardens for Health and Nutrition

Here are a few highlights from 1,000 Women’s Gardens and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Gatherings for Young Mother Gardeners over the last few months:

Organic gardening continues and expands -

Þ    We are deep into Phase 7, having transplanted vegetables from nurseries to ‘mother’ gardens in 75 new households and 6 community gardens, surpassing 50% of our 1,000 Gardens target (550!);

Þ    ASRH Gatherings program distributed vegetable seeds and water gardens to 158 young mothers as their preferred livelihood activity to feed the family, earn income and gain skills for the future;

Þ    1,000 Women’s Gardens encourages and trains groups of these young mothers as ‘additional beneficiaries’ of Phase 7.

Capacity-building of Young Mother Volunteers (YMV) in organic gardening -

Þ    In late April, 1,000 Women’s Gardens’ team trained 20 YMV in the basics of establishing organic soil and water conserving vegetable gardens – raised bed making, mulching and transplanting with proper spacing;

Þ    In mid May, 1,000 Women’s Gardens’ team gathered all 25 YMVs to learn about organic pest and disease management, from insect ‘scouting’ to formulation of botanical pesticides from local materials (25 backpack sprayers were distributed for use of organic pesticides on a sharing basis, as needed);

Þ    The YMVs will pass on this knowledge to the adolescent mothers under their responsibility – those who attended their specific ASRH Gathering (average of 20 each, total of 494 young mothers).

Analysis of Impact Study moves forward with preliminary results –

Þ    UC Berkeley student researchers, supervised by Dr. Robin Marsh, move forward on analysis of data from 100 ‘target’ households and 50 ‘control’ households from seven sub-counties, and will continue to work throughout the summer;

Þ    Preliminary results from the HFIAS survey (Household Food Insecurity Access Scale) show market differences in food (in) security for target and control households (see photo of chart);

Þ    Differences in income, food security, health and general well-being will be explained through analysis of the detailed Questionnaire;

Þ    Transcripts from six focus groups with Community Gardeners and short audio clips from all study households are being coded and analyzed as part of our qualitative study. 

Þ    Stay tuned for results, interpretation, and recommendations!

Integration of gardens and reproductive health for the whole adolescent mother:

Þ    We have now completed all 25 ASRH Gatherings!!! Congratulations to Immaculate Nakisita for facilitating these dynamic meetings of adolescent mothers and their children;

Þ    As shown from the comments of young mothers in a recent Gathering, these are the type of topics covered, and lessons learned…..

• I have learnt that vegetables are good for our health and that of our children, we have been misusing them thinking that it is food meant for the poor.
• I have learnt that family planning methods are not harmful in our bodies, instead they are very important in preventing unplanned pregnancies, reaching our goals and helping us to have few children that can be managed.
• I have learnt the importance of a kitchen garden. As a young mother, a kitchen garden can make me busy and have no time for harmful activities. It is also a source of income.
• I have learnt about other reasons why young girls are impregnated, it’s better to share with our sisters and friends that are not impregnated so that they do not become victims.
• I have learnt that it is good for one to have dreams so that she lives a meaningful life. I didn’t know that these dreams help us to live a focused life knowing the things we want and how to achieve them.
• I have learnt that early marriages are not good for it is not easy to maintain a marriage.
• I have learnt that unprotected sexual relationships are not good because one may have unplanned pregnancy and acquire STIs.

Finally, we are facing a financial ‘gap’ to fund Phase 8 and would appreciate any donations through GlobalGiving (tax deductible). Here is the link https://please-donate-to-1000-womens-gardens-friend. We would especially appreciate anyone who is able to become a ‘monthly’ subscriber, at WHATEVER level. These monthly reminders of your support are particularly motivating, and eligible for matches from GlobalGiving!

Sending best wishes to all of you,

Doreen, Naki, Robin and Jostas