From hardship to harvest: Aline's garden of hope in Kunene

“When COVID-19 struck,” she says, “I knew I couldn't just wait for help. I had to do something for my family and my community.”

The pandemic disrupted livelihoods to the already challenging landscape of Kunene, making it difficult for her community to access essential food supplies. Apart from COVID-19, critical food insecurity was another push factor.

Aline, a mother of three, decided to take action. She left her home and moved 20 kilometers to be closer to a borehole, an important source of water in the arid Kunene region.” This area has water,” she explains. “It's where community members bring their livestock to drink. I thought this would be the right place to start a garden.”

In 2020, she began her garden. It was not just the pandemic that pushed her; Kunene is also one of the regions hardest hit by prolonged droughts, leading to food insecurity. She turned a challenge into an opportunity, using her garden to provide for herself and others. The buffalo grass she grows is particularly valuable, as it is used to feed livestock, helping farmers sustain their animals during dry periods.

Growing more than food

Aline's journey took a significant leap forward when she was selected for Climate-Smart Agriculture training under the EntreprenHER program in October 2024, a joint initiative by United Nations in Namibia, De Beers Group, and the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare. She is one of over 500 Namibian women who have benefited from the program, gaining not only agricultural skills but also business acumen and access to micro-grants.

“This training changed everything for me,” Aline says. “I learned how to make my garden more productive and how to grow crops that can survive the harsh climate.”

Now, Aline's garden provides more than just food for her family. She cultivates a variety of crops, including chilies, citrus fruits, grapes, mint, guava, onions, beans, and pumpkin, among others. She's become a vital part of her community, selling her produce during the monthly government pension payout events, where elderly community members gather to collect their grants. “I normally sell my produce,” she says, “but sometimes I give it away for free.”

However, living in a remote area comes with challenges. She struggles to reach potential clients due to the distance and the fact that many in her community have unstable incomes and cannot afford to buy fresh produce. As a result, she mainly relies on her crops for household consumption. Pest infestations also threaten her harvests, leading to significant losses. To protect her garden, she plants chilies around it, as the compounds in chili peppers can help deter elephants that occasionally wander into the area. 

A model for change

On 6 March 2025, Aline’s efforts were recognized when UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Hopolang Phororo visited her thriving garden. She was accompanied by Aleta Miller, UN Women SA Representative, and Erika Goldson, UNFPA Namibia Representative. The delegation witnessed firsthand the impact of the EntreprenHER program and Aline’s resilience in the face of challenges.

The UN visit was part of the International Women's Day commemorations, aimed at paying tribute to the resilience, strength, and contribution of women in Namibia.

“This is a good example, and I hope others will be inspired to also do what you do,” said Ms. Phororo, praising Aline’s work as a model of self-sufficiency and determination.

Aline’s journey reflects the broader mission of the UN in Namibia—to empower marginalized communities, especially women, by providing skills, resources, and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. Through initiatives like EntreprenHER, UN Namibia is promoting food security, economic independence, and resilience in rural areas, ensuring that no one is left behind.

By supporting women like Aline, the UN and its partners are directly contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

“Aline’s story is proof that with the right support and determination, crisis can be turned into opportunity, and hardship into hope,” said Phororo.