Afghan project closing celebration bittersweet: Farmers vow to carry on new business enterprises
Mahbooba: "Now I am strong."March 31 was a bittersweet day for the staff and clients of MEDA’s Through the Garden Gate (TTGG) project in Afghanistan. About 100 people gathered in Kabul to celebrate the project, which has officially ended. But the women vowed the project’s impact will continue.
“When I asked if they will carry on,” reports Helen Loftin, MEDA’s director of women’s economic development, “the response was an overwhelming ‘yes, of course.’ They are having their weekly meetings and are involved in seasonal activities, such as planting carrots and cucumbers – all with skills and knowledge they have learned through the project.
MEDA Afghanistan country manager Catherine Sobrevega welcomed guests including TTGG village facilitators and representatives from Afghan government ministries, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Peace Dividend Trust and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Afghan Women’s Business Council (AWBC – MEDA’s partner in TTGG) and Ching Eikenberry, wife of the US ambassador to Afghanistan.
Catherine thanked the project donors, partners and staff, noting her hope that “either a donor or agency can replicate the model that we found especially successful for the women in Afghanistan.”Over four years, TTGG has brought prosperity and hope to the lives of more than 2,500 women farmers and their families. But more than that, it has given these women pride in their accomplishments and new respect within their community, as reflected by Mahbooba Hashimi, village facilitator in her village of Balaghel. She spoke of the project’s benefits and its positive influence on her children. “Now I am strong,” she said.
Mahbooba bore nine children, but her son Abuljamin, a translator, was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul four years ago. The boy’s death was such a blow that Mahbooba’s husband became despondent and could not work. So Mahbooba moved back to her home village of Balaghel and got involved with Through the Garden Gate. “Now, we have learned this new system of life, so things can be better and better.”
Scott Gilmore, executive director of Peace Dividend Trust, spoke on behalf of all Canadians, noting, “MEDA is the only one to successfully coordinate with ministries, local partners and international organizations – working together and linked to the private sector. This project is a shining example of how to integrate all levels of expertise and implement locally at the grassroots level.”
“The event was a huge success,” notes Helen. “Catherine and her staff did a wonderful job. Warm words of gratitude and congratulations flowed from the Afghan government ministries, CIDA, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), other international NGOs, AWBC and poignantly from the women farmers themselves. They have mixed emotions, as they will deeply miss the visits of project staff – they have developed deep friendships over the life of the project.”
MEDA staff attending the Through the Garden Gate (TTGG) closing celebration Mar 31 in Kabul, Afghanistan included Helen Loftin, director of women's economic empowerment; Catherine Sobrevega, MEDA Afghanistan TTGG country manager; Pariwash Najib, business development manager for MEDA's Afghan Secure Futures (ASF) project; Lana Mo, TTGG horticulture extensionist; and James Williams, ASF chief of party.