Your donations have built a large pergola over part of the central courtyard to provide shade from the summer heat.
The garden of Hope was established to provide a space for garden therapy and community in a quiet, therapeutic green environment for over 200 women, children and youth released from ISIS captivity. The large tiled central courtyard is used daily for activities and lessons, but in the summer months the high temperatures limit its use during the day.
In our recent appeal to provide a pergola, donors provided $A6,390 to build the pergola and purchase 40 fruit trees.
It is wonderful to see the development and growth in the Hope Garden at Shariya camp in Kurdistan. Produce is harvested daily and distributed to the poorest families and orphans in the camp. Recently a photography class met under the new pergola.
Thank you to our supporters and donors – these are wonderful projects that make a huge difference in the lives of many refugees.
Garden Establishment and First Fruit
Last year Operation Hope sent $A6,000 to help establish the garden implemented by Springs of Hope Foundation. The garden is in the Shariya Refugee Camp in Duhok Province, Kurdistan. The first soil was turned in November 2020, followed by installation of water tanks, greenhouses, planting fruit trees, and vegetables, then raised seed beds and seating around the courtyard were built. The courtyard and fountain area is used for teaching and community activities. The first harvest produced over 3,000 kg of vegetables including cucumbers, capsicum and herbs which were an important supplementary food source during recent food shortages in the camp and local community caused by COVID-19.
Beneficiaries
The first students who visited the therapeutic garden in February 2021 were a group of teenage girls who were survivors of ISIS. The trauma suffered by the young girls in the photos below does not show in their smiling faces. The courtyard and garden surrounds is used for teaching during the day, by residents of the camp and for several community events every month.
100% of your donations went to this project so you know that you are helping to heal trauma caused by the war with ISIS. You can download a detailed project proposal from Springs of Hope here: Detailed Proposal
Establishing the Garden
Images used with permission: Springs of Hope Foundation Inc
ISIS Survivors and Refugees Enjoying the Garden
Fruit from the Garden
Donations to continue to support the Garden of Hope and new initiatives at Shariya Camp are always welcome. Payments are processed securely by DonorBox. A tax deductible receipt will be emailed to you.
Operation Hope Australia Ltd is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission as a Public Benevolent Institution.
Holder of Charitable Fundraising Authority number CFN/25011 issued by the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
Registered with the Qld Office of Fair Trading as a charity, Reg. No. CH3219.
Registered with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status by the Australian Taxation Office. Gifts of $2 and over are tax deductible.