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 […]

Tecpan: Sprouting After Ten Years Fallow

This month, our update comes from Tecpan, Guatemala, where a group of Mayan women have recently begun gardening again with SPI’s support. These farmers aren’t newcomers—in addition to their traditional knowledge, most have vegetable-growing experience from a program that was supported by Wendy de Berger, the First Lady of Guatemala from 2004 – 2008. When […]

Women’s Empowerment Initiative: Whose Hands? Our Hands!

Today’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative update comes from Haitian partner Fabienne Jean and FONDAMA. We first learned about FONDAMA when Fabienne spoke to a local network here in Asheville, North Carolina (USA) as part of the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s stateside planning efforts — a rare and welcomed opportunity to meet a partner! Since then, Seed Programs […]

Women’s Empowerment Initiative: The Power of Choice

This month’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative update comes from Seed Programs International Partner Daniel Wanjama, Seed Savers Network Kenya (SSNK) Founder and Director. SSNK is a grassroots NGO headquartered southeast of Nakuru in Gilgil who works with resource-poor farmers to promote sustainable rural livelihoods. SSNK has strong support for women’s groups, providing access to agricultural training, […]

Women’s Empowerment Initiative: One Step Back, Two Steps Forward

Back in February, we shared an update from GrowEastAfrica, one of Seed Program International’s lead partners in Ethiopia whose programs serve several women’s agricultural groups. Positioned at something of a crossroads for Kenyan – Ethiopian IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), GrowEastAfrica is constantly adapting their program to accommodate the shifting political climate and resulting change in […]

On the Road in Guatemala with Pop Atz’iaq

Naima Dido, SPI’s Program Director is on the road this month with Nancee Neel in the mountains of Guatemala, where they’re working to grow a deeper partnership with a local group, Pop Atz’iaq. Established in the 1990s, Pop Atz’iaq has focused on craft-based livelihood development with women and men in the region around San Cristobal […]

New Women’s Groups with GrowEastAfrica

About one year ago, we told you about a pilot program with SPI partner GrowEastAfrica (then DBCO) to establish community vegetable gardens in Billa village and Soyama town in Ethiopia’s Burji region. (You can read part one hereand part two here.) You may recall that they are an Ethiopian diaspora-led group based in the US. We recently […]