News

Hêvî Community Garden prepares for extreme summer heat

June 23, 2025

Summer has arrived at Gawilan camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Temperatures will soon reach 45°C across the region and will remain high during the summer months. The 92 families growing food at the Hêvî Community Garden are preparing for the intense heat but they need support to keep producing fresh food through the … Continued

Find out more

Cultivating connection in community gardens with Sidra Tea

June 19, 2025

When Aveen fled Syria in 2011, she left behind her home and much more, but carried with her invaluable knowledge of plants that heal and comfort, passed down through generations of her family. “It is usual for us Syrians to grow medicinal plants in our home gardens,” Aveen explains. “We have seen our fathers and … Continued

Find out more

Hêvî Community Garden update, spring 2025: Growing together

May 12, 2025

The Hêvî Community Garden in Gawilan camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq continues to grow, both in greenery and in community impact. ‘Hêvî’, meaning ‘hope’ in Kurdish, remains a fitting name for this space, which brings people together to cultivate not only produce, but also connection, purpose and resilience. Gawilan camp is home to … Continued

Find out more

Greening accidental cities through sustainable gardening

April 16, 2025

Refugee and IDP (internally displaced people) camps are created quickly, out of urgent need. But many become long-term homes for the people who live there. Over time, these settlements evolve into what we might call accidental cities – dense, complex urban environments that are rarely planned for the long term. As Earth Day approaches, we’re … Continued

Find out more

Hêvî Community Garden flourishes in Gawilan camp

March 19, 2025

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 … Continued

Find out more

Planting seeds for the future: Your thoughts, our next steps

March 17, 2025

We recently invited our incredible community of supporters to share their thoughts on our work, impact and future direction. Your feedback has been insightful and inspiring, helping us shape our next steps.  Thousands of displaced people have found hope, healing and dignity through gardening, thanks to your support. But as we look ahead to the … Continued

Find out more