Displaced women in Somalia overcome drought and reclaim their independence
In Baidoa, Somalia, Amina beams with pride as she shows off the morning harvest: 70 kilograms of cucumbers, each selling for $1.50 per kilogram. “Imagine the difference from our life in the jungle,” she says.
Through SOS Children’s Villages’ climate-smart farming initiative, Amina and the other participants are learning how to grow consistent harvests and achieve financial stability. The training provided the group with skills to overcome agricultural challenges with confidence. “I can repair pipes, spray crops, and plant using hydroponic techniques,” she explains.
Amina first heard about the initiative through local leaders who connect vulnerable women to opportunities. “Village elders know everyone and help us get a chance,” she adds.
Unlike traditional farming, hydroponic methods yield harvests every three months, empowering women like Amina to build self-reliance and a brighter future.
In the drought-stricken Bakool region of Somalia, Hirey watched helplessly as the parched land claimed her 25 goats and five cows, forcing her family to leave their home. “We faced food insecurity when our animals died,” she said.
Through the SOS Children’s Villages’ hydroponic farming initiative, Hirey and her family’s lives changed dramatically. She learned modern farming techniques and greenhouse cultivation, growing more food with less water. “There is a lot we can afford now: nutritious food, school fees and medicine for my children,” she beamed, proudly showing their recently picked tomatoes.
With reliable harvests and a steady income, Hirey and her community no longer fear hunger. For them, this initiative is more than a lifeline; it strengthens resilience, self-reliance, and hope.