What’s in the home garden? – Gardens for Health

Recipients of home gardens are identified through the cooperatives working with Gardens for Health. The large majority of those receiving support through this project are HIV positive, or have a member of their family who is. In addition to making antiretroviral treatment more effective, the improved nutrition provided by these gardens can increase resistance to TB, the leading infectious killer for people with immune systems weakened by HIV.

Many recipients of home gardens note that gardening is a part of “positive living,” that is, living responsibly and well with their disease. Home gardens allow these recipients to take greater control over their health, and assert independence in a region historically associated with aid dependence.

A home garden!

Though it depends on the season and the needs of individual families, the home garden package generally includes a combination of the following:

Moringa tree
Fruit tree seedling (papaya or avocado)
Amaranth
Cowpea
Sunflower
Neem
Tephrosia
Garlic
Tomatoes
Carrots
Beets
Swiss Chard
Kale
Sweet Pepper
Eggplant