Thanks to the Real Gift Seedlings, we provide people in need with the opportunity to grow their own crops and live self-sufficiently. We also help plant trees that offer shade, protect against the sun and wind, prevent soil erosion, and provide shelter for many animals.
Seedlings Provide a Varied Diet for People in Uganda
In villages around Fort Portal in Uganda, we supported vulnerable families with disabled children. Many of these families suffer from poor healthcare and malnutrition. Most residents eat only posho—flour mixed with water, salt, and matooke (cooked bananas that taste similar to mashed potatoes). This dish, called the "food of the poor," contains up to 80% water. It satisfies hunger temporarily but offers very little nutritional value. Without proper nutrients, children fall behind their peers who have better conditions.
Parents of disadvantaged children find it difficult to work because they cannot leave their children for long periods. The local system offers little support—special schools and healthcare are only available far away, and travel costs are prohibitive. These parents grew up in poverty, with limited education and knowledge on caring for children with special needs, exercising with them, or helping them develop their abilities.
We donated seedlings of potatoes, beans, onions, garlic, carrots, and other crops so families could grow nutritious foods. We also provided goats, cows, and chickens to supply milk and eggs—all animals were treated by veterinarians, dewormed, and families received feed for the initial months.
Potatoes Feed Families in Lebanon
In Lebanon’s Akkar region, up to 90% of residents struggle to make ends meet, burdened by war in neighboring Syria, lack of social support, and climate change affecting small farms. We decided to help those most vulnerable—people without stable livelihoods—by providing potato seedlings. Potatoes are a resilient crop ideal for the area; they are nutritious, versatile, and can feed an entire family. Surplus harvests can be sold at markets, helping families improve their financial situation.
Trees Offer Hope for a Better Future in Kenya
During ethnic conflicts in Kenya, many people were displaced from their homes. They first moved to slums, where some lived for over 20 years in inhumane conditions. These areas were prone to disease and fires, and many residents turned to drugs and crime out of despair. Eunice Wangari, one of the people we helped in 2019, recalls those difficult times:
"It was crowded, with people living on top of each other. Hygiene and sanitation were very poor, and everything was dirty."
After years, the government relocated people from the slums to empty fields, where each family was given a small plot of land. While living in the fields was an improvement, families lacked funds to purchase farm animals or seeds. The area was also exposed to strong winds and scorching sun, and all trees had been cut down.
To help, we provided more than 3,000 pine, cypress, and grevillea seedlings to reforest the land. Trees protect crops from wind, provide shade in hot weather, and help retain soil moisture. Dry fallen branches are used for cooking and heating.
We also distributed beehives to local communities. Honey production supports family livelihoods, and bees—important pollinators—also contribute to a healthier local ecosystem.
Support the planting of crops and trees with a Real Gift Seedling.
Thank you for your support!
