Celebrating Earth Day in Iraq
“When we first arrived at the camp, it was like a huge desert. But because of our experience as farmers, my husband and I made this beautiful garden beside our shelter.”
Meet 41-year-old Jyan, a Syrian refugee and mother of two living in one of the camps where Peace Winds works in Duhok, Iraq.
“Although camp life is not without difficulties, we love the atmosphere we have created for ourselves. In order to make the garden you see now, my husband and I spent a lot of time and money buying seeds and fences and walking miles to bring in special stones.”
Jyan says that there are more than 20 types of flowers, five types of fruit trees, and more than seven types of vegetables in the family’s garden.
“In addition to the beautiful view, it supplies me with vegetables such as lettuce, celery, watercress, onions, and others, which I need on a daily basis. Sometimes I share these with my neighbors as well.”
Jyan says that anyone can make life pure on this land simply by planting a tree or a plant. “Take me for example,” she says. “Despite being a refugee and facing water scarcity in the camp, I have created this beautiful landscape for my family.”
Happy Earth Day from Peace Winds!