Stories
July 16, 2024 • 2 min read
Paulino is a 45-year-old father of five who lives in Twic County, South Sudan, which is experiencing a complex and multifaceted humanitarian crisis. Paulino works as a security guard for a nearby healthcare centre, but he still doesn’t earn enough money to purchase an adequate amount of nutritious food for his children.
Food Insecurity in South Sudan
South Sudan gained independence in 2011. However, conflict, extreme poverty, the impacts of climate change, and mass displacement have hindered the country’s development. These factors have converged into a widespread hunger crisis.
In 2024, 7.1 million people (57% of the country’s population) are projected to experience crisis levels of severe acute food insecurity during the lean season – the period between harvests that lasts from April until July.
Conflict in neighbouring Sudan has also triggered a period of high inflation in some regions of South Sudan, further compounding the food security crisis.
Kitchen Gardens
Last year, Paulino noticed GOAL staff demonstrating how to cultivate their own home kitchen garden to a group of women via a Mother-to-Mother Support Group (MTMSG). These groups help mothers learn more about good infant and young child feeding practices.
Paulino was intrigued by the process. He began to participate in other kitchen gardening activities facilitated by one of GOAL’s Mother, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) counsellors, funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
Paulino’s wife, Mrs. Athieng, showing some of the produce she harvested from their kitchen garden.
Personal kitchen gardens can play a pivotal role in combating malnutrition. During the lean season, some households are forced to sell portions of their harvest to pay for other expenses, such as school fees or medical costs. But kitchen gardens enable these households to grow additional food for personal consumption all throughout the year.
GOAL also provided Paulino with seeds and watering cans, with funding from ECHO. With his wife’s help, Paulino cultivated a large piece of land, began harvesting okra (a seeded vegetable native to East Africa), and had produce leftover to sell at his local market. He used the additional income to purchase soap, medication, and more food for his family.
A GOAL Health and Nutrition Officer and MIYCN Counsellor visiting Paulino’s garden.
Giving Back to the Community
Paulino’s kitchen gardening skills will now ensure that his family always has an abundance of fresh and nutritious food. He has even started preserving the seeds from his produce so he can expand his garden and share them with other households in his community.
GOAL also repaired the water pump located next to the PHCC where Paulino works. This gave him regular access to water for his kitchen garden throughout the season, significantly improving his harvest. Paulino thanked GOAL and the European Union for supporting his family and said that he is looking forward to giving back to his community.
Learn more about GOAL’s work in South Sudan.
