Stories
June 18, 2025 • 2 min read
Meyrem, a mother of eight who has lived in the Berhale Refugee Camp for over ten years, struggled to feed her family with the limited food aid available. After joining GOAL’s micro-gardening project, funded by PRM and UNHCR, she learned how to grow vegetables using small spaces and recycled water. Her garden now provides fresh produce daily and generates extra income to cover other family needs.
For over a decade, Meyrem has called the Berhale Refugee Camp in Ethiopia’s Afar Region home. A mother of eight, she faced the daily challenge of feeding her children with limited food aid that often lacked the nutrients her family needed. But today, thanks to GOAL’s micro gardening initiative, Meyrem’s story is one of transformation and hope.
A Harsh Reality
Berhale Refugee Camp shelters nearly 62,000 people, most of them Eritrean refugees who fled conflict and instability. Life in the camp is shaped by scarcity, particularly when it comes to access to fresh, nutritious food. Families like Meyrem’s have long depended on basic food distributions, which, while essential, fall short of meeting dietary needs. Several of Meyrem’s children suffered from malnutrition and required care at GOAL’s Nutrition Centre in the camp.
Planting the Seeds of Change
Everything began to shift when Meyrem joined the micro gardening project. With training in sustainable farming techniques, such as using recycled water and maximising small spaces, she learned to grow vegetables right outside her shelter. Armed with seeds, tools, and newfound knowledge, she began cultivating tomatoes, spinach, and onions.
In just a few months, her once-barren patch of land turned into a thriving garden. It now supplies her family with fresh produce daily and even yields enough surplus to sell at the local market.
Harvesting More Than Food
The impact has been profound. Meyrem’s children are now healthier, and the extra income from her garden helps cover essentials like clothing and school materials. But the benefits extend beyond her household. Meyrem has become a source of inspiration in the camp, sharing her skills and produce with neighbours. Her efforts have sparked a ripple effect, encouraging others to start their own gardens and creating a sense of community resilience.
