In the quiet resilience of Odrueyi village, Adjumani District, a powerful conversation unfolded on 10th July 2025, one that would sow the seeds of a transformative movement. Convened by Humanity Touch, the community dialogue brought together a diverse group of voices: GBV survivors, formerly incarcerated women, youth leaders, local elders, community health workers, and representatives from women’s savings groups and refugee host communities. The meeting was called in response to growing concerns about the psychosocial and economic isolation faced by women and youth affected by gender-based violence and displacement.
Facilitated by Humanity Touch’s field team, the dialogue created space for participants to share lived experiences, reflect on structural barriers, and envision practical solutions rooted in dignity and healing. What emerged was a collective proposal, an initiative that would blend trauma recovery with sustainable livelihoods, anchored in feminist values and ecological stewardship.
The participants fronted several ideas to the tabled problem. In the end, they all unanimously agreed on the need to establish trauma-informed community gardens that would serve as safe spaces for healing, learning, and economic empowerment. They proposed that each farming activity: planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling, be paired with motivational or educational talks to foster reflection and build resilience. They also emphasized the importance of training young feminist leaders in food sovereignty, advocacy, and community mobilization, ensuring that the initiative would grow future champions of justice and sustainability.
A key decision was to locate the first gardens across three sub-counties neighbouring the host sub county, with each site serving as a hub for training, market access, and psychosocial support. If funds allowed, then the project would spread to other sub counties as well, basing on the lessons learnt in the first phase.
More, participants recommended that the project include storytelling and documentation components, so that their journeys could inspire others and challenge stigma. They also called for the development of a simplified toolkit to guide replication in other communities.
All these were surely pregnant ideas. The way forward, as agreed in the meeting, was clear: Humanity Touch would develop a formal project concept, now titled “Healing Circles” and seek global funding assistance for this noble cause. Can you fund us? If yes, contact us on info@thehumanitytouch.org.
