Stories
March 6, 2025 • 3 min read
Ngangal Galway, a mother of six living in the Gambela Terkidi refugee camp, struggles with limited resources and food insecurity daily. With support from GOAL, she embraces sustainable gardening to supplement her family’s diet and improve her son’s health.
Life in Gambela Terkidi Refugee Camp
Ngangal Galway is a 35-year-old South Sudanese living in Gambela Terkidi refugee camp in Ethiopia. Like many other mothers in the refugee camp, Ngangal faces the harsh realities of having limited resources to provide for her family. Ngangal’s family is heavily dependent on food rations provided by the aid agencies, often their only food source. However, even these rations are limited, and Ngangal cannot always rely on them to meet her family’s needs. One of Ngangal’s greatest concerns is her four-year-old child, Geme Targial, who suffers from malnutrition due to limited and insufficient food options at the camp. His fragile health frequently requires treatment at the camp’s stabilisation centres, leaving Ngangal deeply concerned for her son’s wellbeing.
Introducing Sustainable Solutions
In 2024, GOAL introduced a new approach for residents of the Gambela Terkdi refugee camps, including Ngangal. While other aid organisations focused on providing dry food rations, GOAL introduced sustainable practices like backyard gardening and community farming. Initially, Ngangal doubted whether gardening could help meet her family’s needs. However, motivated by her son’s health challenges, she decided to join GOAL’s gardening initiative.
Through the program, Ngangal began growing her vegetables, aiming to complement the monthly food rations with fresh, nutrient-rich produce.
Recognising Ngangal’s dedication, GOAL supplied her with essential gardening tools and ongoing technical support. “Considering her initiative, we were happy to provide additional assistance,” said Alemayehu Reta, Refugee Programme Manager.
Improved Health and Hope
What started as an uncertain venture blossomed into a rewarding endeavour. Within a few months, Ngangal was able to harvest enough vegetables to support not only her own family but also her neighbours. Fresh produce from Ngangal’s garden helped to diversify their diets and improve Geme’s health. As a result, Geme’s visits to the stabilisation centre grew less and less frequent.
“As a mother, I have to do anything to save my child,” Ngangal reflected. “I was considering different things, and when the GOAL team approached and inspired us to try gardening, I decided to take the chance. It was for my child and my whole family.”
The positive changes in Ngangal’s life extended far beyond her garden. Her initiative has become an inspiration in the Gambela Terkidi refugee camp. Not only does her backyard garden provide for her own family, but it also serves as a model for her community members facing similar challenges. Today, Ngangal continues to care for her garden while actively supporting other mothers in her community to do the same. She works closely with GOAL to promote the initiative, sharing her knowledge and experience to help others grow their food and improve their families’ well-being.
GOAL in Ethiopia
Many vulnerable communities in Ethiopia struggle with food insecurity, facing challenges that threaten their daily survival and future stability.
Your donation today can help build resilient livelihoods, empowering mothers like Ngangal with the resources and skills they need to provide for their families.
Join us in making a difference. Support GOAL’s work today.
