Mr. Paulo, one of the beneficiary of Vegetable garden holds a bunch of pechay that he will sell at the local market.

The GFF HELPS Philippines Team continuously receives the photos sent by Vegetable garden beneficiaries that show the products of the plants. The project technically started in May 2020. We chose fifty (50) families of our online storytelling participants from four (4) schools in Banga, Aklan. The monitoring and feedbacking continued until December as the Team had created a Facebook page and private group chats to exchange ideas and planting techniques amongst the beneficiaries. Another phase was made in 2021, and we included 20 participants from the past GFF webinars. We delivered the seedling packs house-to-house. The total beneficiaries from the town of Banga reached 70 families. This project was geared towards the UN goal “Zero Hunger” where we help people fight off hunger and gain access to nutritious foods. Furthermore, it can boost mental health and physical activity especially during this time where people are confined in their houses.

We make certain that each beneficiary is monitored. They shared the problems that they encountered and we gave suggestions. Withered plants are unavoidable especially that the rainy season has begun. Some plants can’t tolerate too much water and need more attention, but there are some too that are productive and can endure the dry and rainy seasons. Sometimes we can visit the houses of the beneficiaries and most of them still have their garden.

Vegetable Project Phase 2 – This is the Simon Family receiving their seed packs on 12th April in Manggan Banga

From the photos and feedbacks that we received from the beneficiaries, we are grateful that most of them were able to reap the products and consume them. Some were able to harvest a generous amount and sell them. One of the beneficiaries that came from the list of webinar participants shared that they planted all the seedlings along the river where the soil is more fertile. The outcome is great because the plants thrive and produce good vegetables that can be sold in the local market. He and his wife harvested the products and sold them to the market. The amount was able to put food on their table for two days and the remaining vegetables as side dishes.