A local garden with a global impact
Proceeds from the sale of fresh vegetables from the Green and Gold Community Garden go to Tubahumurize.
August 17, 2009 - (Edmonton) Although it exists on the other side of the globe, a Rwandan non-governmental organization is the beneficiary of the Green and Gold Community Garden, a collaboration between two University of Alberta faculties, supported by about 10 active volunteers and its founder, Rwandan Jeanne Mwiriliza.
Initiated by
Bowen has a personal tie to Tubahumurize and wanted to help the organization, which focuses on support and empowerment of economically marginalized women in Rwanda, many of whom are survivors of gender-based violence. Years ago, she and her husband were informally "adopted" by a young Tutsi, Eloge Butera. After fleeing Rwanda, Butera moved to Winnipeg and sought asylum. Bowen, who lived in Winnipeg at the time, met Butera, who soon became part of their family. While in Winnipeg, Butera learned English, obtained his Canadian high-school equivalency, and subsequently attended the University of Manitoba. He now studies international law at McGill University and is currently in Rwanda doing an internship with the Rwandan Supreme Court.
Butera is the biological son of Mwiriliza, the founder of Tubahumurize. Although Bowen and Mwiriliza have never met face-to-face, they feel a strong bond through their common connection to Butera.
That bond, and her awareness of the needs in that country, gave Bowen an idea. In the summer of 2008, she and her husband made available excess vegetables from their garden to people in their community. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to Tubahumerize.
"When people learned they were getting organically grown vegetables and the profits weren't going to a giant store chain but, rather, towards helping those in Rwanda, they were extremely generous with their donations," said Bowen.
Having recently relocated to Edmonton from Manitoba, Bowen was eager to transplant her efforts to the U of A and started planning the Green and Gold Community Garden and local volunteers agree.
"This process has been very rewarding from the start," says Cheryl Currie, PhD student with the Department of Public Health Sciences, and one of several U of A volunteers.
"I love getting my hands dirty, learning more about gardening, being in the fresh air and getting to know my colleagues in a different way," said Currie. She mentions that working in the garden helps her to feel more connected to world issues and the poverty in which some people live.
Bowen, who feels the same affinity for the Green and Gold Community Garden, said, "It really is a win-win situation. People love eating fresh vegetables, and hopefully it spurs them on to cooking healthier meals. It keeps us active and there is a great social network.
"From a public health perspective and a social responsibility perspective, everyone is benefitting."
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