All it took was vision, dedication and a whole lot of enthusiasm for a young man to help feed his community in the village of Kokolom, 15km north of Bol, where his thriving vegetable field is overflowing with delicious and healthy produce.

“The earth never betrays” is a common saying and that could become Abakar Doungous’ motto.

He wants to spread that message to internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and the unemployed, who often don’t have the means to buy healthy, fresh and nutritious food for their families.

Doungous has the answer: “Grow your own.”

Doungous’ venture into the world of vegetables started when he was given a chance to train in agriculture. He took to it immediately and soon sought out some fertile land where he started growing vegetables.

The area in which he lives is not known to be fertile but that did not stop him.

Since then he has motivated other young people to start growing their own vegetables.

“It is a good way to help empower youngsters, IDPs and the unemployed,” he says. “Not only will they have fresh food on their tables, but they can also sell their produce and earn money from the project. It will help them take charge of their lives.”

Doungous said that if people embraced the earth and used it to good purpose, they would richly rewarded.

With his brothers and friends, Doungous cultivates several varieties of vegetables, such as carrots, cabbages, bell peppers, onions, lettuce and white radish, to mention just a few.

“It takes hard work and dedication – you have to be patient because plants don’t grow overnight, but in the end it is worth it.”

Doungous said if more IDPs, refugees and unemployed people started to cultivate their own land it would make them less dependent on humanitarian aid.

“It would give their lives some purpose. But, most importantly, it would empower them and they would no longer be dependent on others for aid.”

He said being dependent on others made one feel depleted and defeated.

“If you can take charge of your life, it gives you strength and confidence. Your life has meaning again. You have something to strive for. It uplifts you.”

Doungous called on others in his community to start market gardening. He said he was willing to lend a hand to those who would like to start growing vegetables.

“With a little hard work and dedication, your market gardens will soon be flourishing”, he said.

Mbodou Hassan Moussa