Lemon Tree Trust is entering an exciting new phase at one of its community gardens, Hêvî (meaning ‘hope’ in Kurdish), in Gawilan refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as work concludes on a new polytunnel. This space will enable the team to raise thousands of seedlings for households in Gawilan, neighbouring settlements and nearby host communities, helping to create healthier and more resilient environments.
*IDP – Internally displaced people
The development builds on the success of the Azadî Community Garden in Domiz 1 Camp. Both gardens, which serve mainly forcibly displaced people from Syria, combine large scale plant propagation with around 100 raised beds where beneficiaries grow vegetables, herbs and flowers to support their families and neighbours. Each garden also has bakery houses that provide fresh bread for the community. With two active polytunnels, Lemon Tree Trust can now reach more families and strengthen community-led greening efforts across the region.
Alongside its community gardens, Lemon Tree Trust hosts annual gardening and cooking competitions and offers a range of workshops and training sessions. These programs strengthen community bonds, build practical skills, and improve food security, all while bringing beauty and hope to refugee and internally displaced people (IDP) camps, often described as “accidental cities.” Since 2016, the organisation has planted or distributed more than 300,000 plants across the region and continues to expand opportunities that empower displaced communities to grow, learn, and thrive. Every gardening initiative is led by and for displaced people and survivors of war.
Rowe Morrow, one of Permaculture for Refugees (P4R) founders, taught the first Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course in Gawilan refugee camp. It was from this course, that the P4R’s founders developed the confidence to develop P4R.
For more information, please see Lemon Tree’s website – https://lemontreetrust.org/ and stay in touch via their socials Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bluesky
info@lemontreetrust.org
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