What Motivates Us

We wanted to take the time to let you get to know Sweet Blossom Gifts better, and what motivates us to do what we do. We began in 2012 with a simple mission, which was to help hard-working women artists market their goods. We quickly found that customers loved the handmade pieces that we were […]

CEPUDO: Expertise in Honduras

Today’s update comes from CEPUDO (Capacitación, Educación, Producción, Unificación, Desarrollo y Organización) and Food for the Poor in Honduras. CEPUDO serves some of the poorest communities in Honduras with programs that touch everyone from infants to elders. Their program areas include: agriculture, educational centers and schools, community development, water projects, health, training and recreation centers, […]

Growing Expertise in Rwanda

Today’s update comes from Bob Kacvinsky, an agronomist and longtime SPI partner. It’s a rare treat for us to receive such a detailed report of seed distribution and training. We often say that our resources are not a handout. Gardening is hard work, and Bob’s report is a good illustration of the planning that goes […]

Hope Opens Doors in Northern Nigeria

Hi folks, Today’s update comes from Kathy Barrera, the Program Director with Hope Opens Doors in Nigeria. Hope Opens Doors works with Mothers Welfare Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing care for some of the most vulnerable women and children in rural Northern Nigeria. Kathy Barrera wrote us recently to share their plans for […]

Experimenting with New Crops and New Nutrition

Today’s report comes from our friends at GrowEastAfrica in Ethiopia. One of our deeper partnerships, we try to understand what’s working for them, what’s not working, and how we can support their cooperative’s growth and goals. This means not only learning how vegetables fit into their work, but also learning about how the other parts […]

Gardens Support Whole Health

If you’re familiar with our programs, you might know that many of our partner communities are located in outlying or isolated regions. Today’s report from the Rotary Club of Manila 101 in the Philippines is different. Working with schools throughout the Philippines, this Rotary focuses on gardens that can thrive in an urban environment. “Urban […]

Fostering Relationships, Changing Tradition, and Growing Empowerment

We recently heard from Safe Hands for Girls, our partner working in The Gambia. Safe Hands for Girls accomplishes important work in The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Atlanta USA, fighting female genital mutilation / cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage. Founder Jaha Dukureh and Safe Hands for Girls often visit communities with a high percentage of […]

Peace Corps Morocco: Sprouting Change

We are happy to report that this update comes from our Peace Corps partners in Morocco. Peace Corps Morocco volunteers serve in remote, mostly rural areas, focusing on empowering youth and local communities. Seeds are used to teach students about agriculture and environmental issues, assist in starting local garden projects, and encourage the community to […]

Growing Resilience

Today’s project update comes from GrowEastAfrica, an SPI partner who has adapted their programs over the years to meet the most urgent needs of the families they serve. Co-founder, Yohannes Chonde, knows that access to farming resources — like good seed, tools, and training — can change lives. GrowEastAfrica’s programs strive not only to provide […]

Growing with Gratitude

Last August, we shared an update from Grow East Africa, a Seed Programs International partner working with about 1,000 families at a crossroads for Kenyan – Ethiopian IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Co-Founder Yohannes Chonde understands the families’ journey, the experience of displacement, and what they need to be successful because many of the families come […]