Hêvî Community Garden flourishes in Gawilan camp
Since work began in December 2023, the Hêvî Community Garden in Gawilan camp has developed into a productive and well-used space, thanks to the efforts of camp residents, the Lemon Tree Trust team and ongoing support from donors and partners.
A video filmed earlier this month shows how far the project has come in just over a year. What was once a bare site now has raised growing beds, a bakery house and a range of fruit trees, herbs and vegetables.
Key developments to date
- Installation of essential infrastructure: fencing, gates, a water system, office and storage unit
- 52 raised beds planted with rocket, radishes, onions, parsley and other herbs and vegetables
- A new bakery house with two traditional tannour ovens, now serving as a popular community hub
- 435 trees and plants added around the garden, including grapevine, fig, lavender and acacia
- Additional raised beds being built to involve more community gardeners
Marking International Women’s Day
Earlier this month, the garden hosted an event to mark International Women’s Day. The event recognised the contributions of women in the project and provided a space to gather ideas for upcoming workshops. Topics discussed included composting, natural pest control, water-efficient gardening and planting for pollinators. Each woman received a small gift bag containing a rose and scarf, and the Lemon Tree Trust team reaffirmed its commitment to women’s participation and leadership in the garden.
Looking ahead
Plans for the next phase include co-designed workshops and continued expansion. The Hêvî Community Garden is already offering opportunities for fresh, healthy food, building stronger community ties and creating a renewed sense of purpose and belonging for those involved.
Special thanks
Our thanks go to Othman (manager), Hamid (garden designer and project manager), Roken (garden facilitator), the Azadî gardening team and to all of our supporters who have made this transformation possible.
Thank you also to Ronak for her generous assistance with filming this update.
Support the garden
The Hêvî Community Garden is only possible thanks to the generosity of those who believe in the power of community-led green spaces. Your support helps to fund essentials such as seeds, tools and irrigation equipment, ensuring the garden continues to grow and thrive for everyone who relies on it.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Thank you for standing with us and supporting this work.
Photos and videos by Youssef Ibrahem. Over the last six months, a corner of the Azadî Community Garden in Domiz 1 camp, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has been created especially for children. Families who visit the garden together now have a dedicated space for their youngest members, with games, a slide and small low tables … Continued
Aveen Ibrahem is Operations Manager at Lemon Tree Trust, overseeing our community gardening and cooking programmes across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Her work supports activities in Azadî Community Garden in Domiz 1 camp, as well as outreach and coordination across the nine camps where Lemon Tree Trust currently operates. Having lived in Domiz 1 … Continued
Inside the polytunnels at the Hêvî Community Garden in Gawilan refugee camp, Garden Manager Othman Qewas carefully selects fruit trees and flowering plants grown from seed. Joined by Hamid Abdullah, Lemon Tree Trust’s Horticulture and Landscape Consultant, the plants are loaded into the car before setting off to visit families across the camp. As part of our ongoing children’s outreach programme in Gawilan camp, … Continued