Upgrading Azadî’s water system to support year-round growing

At the Azadî Community Garden in Domiz 1 camp, we have recently installed a new plastic 5 litre water tank, twice the size of the old metal one. The previous tank had served the garden for many years but had become increasingly prone to leaks and repairs, so it made sense to replace it with a more reliable and durable system this autumn. To support the larger tank, one of our gardening team members built a sturdy new concrete base. This essential upgrade will help ensure that vegetables, herbs and fruit trees continue to thrive, providing fresh, healthy produce for families throughout the year.

In the photos, you can see the new tank in place, alongside gardeners harvesting radishes, aubergines, leafy greens and other produce, and children enjoying the open spaces of the garden. These images capture the daily rhythm of life here: growing food, sharing skills and finding joy in community.

Since it was established in 2016, the Azadî Community Garden (“azadî” means “liberation” in Arabic) has been a place of growth and connection. Around 100 women and their children or grandchildren visit each day to tend their raised beds, learn new techniques and take home fresh produce. Children also enjoy helping with our quail and chicken flocks, feeding them and collecting eggs.

Azadî is where our Sidra Tea Blend is produced. Here, gardeners grow herbs such as thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, sage and Damask rose, hand-picking each ingredient at its peak before gently spreading it on drying racks to preserve its delicate flavour and aroma. Gardeners also take part in practical workshops on small-scale food production, including composting, recycling greywater, organic growing methods and pest control. Every one of these activities depends on a consistent and clean water supply to thrive.

Thanks to your continued support, we were able to complete this important upgrade quickly. Sometimes donations help us plant seeds and trees, and at other times they enable essential work like this. Your generosity helps sustain the Azadî Community Garden, funding gardening activities, equipment and maintenance that keep this special place flourishing for everyone who depends on it.

The Azadî project contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Responsible Consumption and Production.

To support our work, you can make a donation, here. Your gift may help fund projects like this one, or other vital gardening activities and equipment. Thank you.