Mary’s Garden: Growing a Stronger Community

Mary lives in Massam Kpaka, Sierra Leone. She became part of her church’s community garden project and works every day to help their crops grow.

The vegetables from the garden provide nutritious food for the families of the gardening group, and surplus produce is sold in the market. The income is divided equally among the members.

Mary says there is a sense of unity among the members of the gardening group – they rely on each other for support and advice.

There has also been a big change in Mary’s life at home now that she is making her own income. She used to have to ask her husband for money, but now they make spending decisions together. “My husband now respects me because I am a contributing member of the household.”