I had not realized that a small, grassroots project could be so needed and helpful. In the midst of preparing to implement this project, with running errands, filling out mundane paperwork and beating the political bureaucracy of transferring money to Gaza, I lost sight of who it was really for. But in the last couple of days I saw the faces of the women who had made it all worthwhile and I was reminded of how important this project was. Save Gaza was not here to "save gaza". We were simply providing the means and tools by which to empower these women. We are not yet another organization operating in Gaza and giving handouts which last a few months, and even now, those have become limited. I realized this as I sat through the training. It dawned on me how important it was for us as a people, as Palestinians, to become self-reliant and how important that was for our sovereignty and independence.
During the training we discussed the importance of being able to provide for ourselves, especially with Gaza's economic decline. We were now doing just that by growing our own food. The markets are getting emptier, and even for what's available, most people cannot afford the high prices of flour, oil and vegetables. The women of Kherbit Al Addas knew this, as most of them break their fast with some fried eggplant, some hummas (chickpeas) with bread and onions. They were well aware they cannot afford to buy the vegetables from the market, so they saw the importance and necessity in growing their own gardens. We discussed health, nutrition, children's mal-nutrition, and preventable health problems. The training had turned into a larger discussion. The women were very engaging and wanted to share their experiences with gardening and farming. I also felt it was important for them to speak because I wanted them to feel safe and comfortable in the space we were in.
Everything we bought, including the plants, seedlings and the chickens for the project were local. It was important for the project to empower everyone involved, including the farmer who sold us the chickens. It was also important for us not to purchase any Israeli made products introducing the concept of divestment which was also discussed with the women. The point being made showed how buying local products will allow Gaza's economy to flourish, even on a small scale. The women already knew this, and knew that these gardens meant more than just health, and nutrition, but were also part of the resistance movement. Divesting from your occupier is a form of resistance, and therefore growing their own food and mobilizing their communities towards this is resisting the Israeli occupation.
I had to come to Gaza and see these women to realize how much a small project, with such a small budget could mean so much more, and could carry all this meaning. We had provided 20 families with vegetable plants and chickens and a three day training on how to care for them......But what really left me in awe, was the power of these women to take these tools, and their willingness to provide for themselves and their families, and not rely on foreign aid or Israeli products. It was their poor conditions, but hope for something better, no matter what obstacles stood in their way. It was their resistance to allowing Israel or the Israeli occupation to break them and their communities. The very people I hoped to empower had inspired me. It wasn't just about the gardens; it was about a community, about Gaza, about Palestine, and about our independence.
The project does not end here.....there is no end to sustainability.
During the training we discussed the importance of being able to provide for ourselves, especially with Gaza's economic decline. We were now doing just that by growing our own food. The markets are getting emptier, and even for what's available, most people cannot afford the high prices of flour, oil and vegetables. The women of Kherbit Al Addas knew this, as most of them break their fast with some fried eggplant, some hummas (chickpeas) with bread and onions. They were well aware they cannot afford to buy the vegetables from the market, so they saw the importance and necessity in growing their own gardens. We discussed health, nutrition, children's mal-nutrition, and preventable health problems. The training had turned into a larger discussion. The women were very engaging and wanted to share their experiences with gardening and farming. I also felt it was important for them to speak because I wanted them to feel safe and comfortable in the space we were in.
Everything we bought, including the plants, seedlings and the chickens for the project were local. It was important for the project to empower everyone involved, including the farmer who sold us the chickens. It was also important for us not to purchase any Israeli made products introducing the concept of divestment which was also discussed with the women. The point being made showed how buying local products will allow Gaza's economy to flourish, even on a small scale. The women already knew this, and knew that these gardens meant more than just health, and nutrition, but were also part of the resistance movement. Divesting from your occupier is a form of resistance, and therefore growing their own food and mobilizing their communities towards this is resisting the Israeli occupation.
I had to come to Gaza and see these women to realize how much a small project, with such a small budget could mean so much more, and could carry all this meaning. We had provided 20 families with vegetable plants and chickens and a three day training on how to care for them......But what really left me in awe, was the power of these women to take these tools, and their willingness to provide for themselves and their families, and not rely on foreign aid or Israeli products. It was their poor conditions, but hope for something better, no matter what obstacles stood in their way. It was their resistance to allowing Israel or the Israeli occupation to break them and their communities. The very people I hoped to empower had inspired me. It wasn't just about the gardens; it was about a community, about Gaza, about Palestine, and about our independence.
2 comments:
Your project is an inspiration! I wish you and the people you are working with the best with this effort!
Is the lady who collects food scraps at the market to feed her three children part of the community gardening team? How do such people get to be one of the producers? Or start another patch elsewhere?
And is there a routine going to collect the wastes from the market/s to turn into vital compost.
I've seen an article 'somewhere on the Web' about how permaculture was used in Palestine on highly saline soils - and the salinity was reduced enough to produce good crops. That system, and lasagne/no dig gardening methods, may help the garden groups to spread to areas where there is no actual soil. No dig can be achieved even on concrete (or roof tops if water can be taken there).
And, if you can also grow herbs for remedies for the small ills, then more good health may come of it. And flowers to cheer the eye and soul and bring the bees to ensure seeds for the next season's crops.
My biggest wish is for continuing peace and amity among the gardeners so the venture prospers.
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