Frome charity raises £150,000 for Ugandan disability garden project

 A FROME-based charity has raised over £150,000 to support disabled people in Uganda set up their own kitchen gardens and generate an independent income. 

In 2022, ADD International ran its ‘100% Homegrown Appeal’ to raise money to support a kitchen gardens project in Uganda, led by a group of disability activists. 

The campaign, which ran from June to September 2022, was aided by the UK government matching every £1 raised and thanks to the generosity of donors and the public, the appeal raised £156,124.54 including £71,577.27 from the UK government. 

“This money will mean hundreds of young disabled people in Uganda will be able to earn an independent living through a kitchen garden,” said Emma Blake from ADD, which is based in the Old Church School, Butts Hill in Frome. 

“A kitchen garden means being self-sufficient and protected in times of food insecurity, like the Covid-19 pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis.” 

Fazira, a disability rights activist and gardener in Uganda said, “There’s nothing that makes a person with a disability more highly recognised and appreciated in our families and communities than being able to support themselves.” 

Working together with mentors like Fazira, young disabled people in Uganda will be supported to set up an accessible garden of their own. Innovations like planting in tins and sacks mean even those living in urban areas or with a small living space can get involved in the project. 

ADD International’s first project 30 years ago, launched with the support of the people of Frome, was a horticultural therapy project supporting disabled people in India. And since then, the charity has been supporting organisations of disability activists to fight discrimination and ensure every disabled person gets a fighting chance at living their best life. 

For more information about the appeal visit add.org.uk/homegrown