Farming Sisters - Our newest livelihood program has started

The Lotus Flower recently opened the doors to its third women’s centre in Essyan Camp, an IDP camp that is now home to 15,000 people in the Duhok Governorate.

While offering our regular programs ranging from adult education, art therapy, and mental health support, we have recently launched our newest livelihood programme, Farming Sisters. The majority of camp residents are Yezidi and have a farming background that spans generations. As the women’s centre includes a plot of unused land, we wanted to facilitate an opportunity for women to use skills that have been taught to them by their ancestors while also providing an income to support their families. The women have recently started to garden and plant seasonal vegetables.

Throughout the year, they will manage the agricultural project and sell fresh produce to their neighbours, the surrounding community, and even The Lotus Café. As with all of our livelihood programmes, the women retain 100% of their profits.