Finding hope in God’s creation: Growing vegetable gardens in IDP camps

Sister Helen Doi Ling, SJA

Jesus said that “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

In the world we live, there are many challenges. Due to conflicts and disasters, there are millions of forcibly displaced people. They become more vulnerable in this COVID-19 pandemic time.

I work with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)-Myanmar for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar. IDPs are facing more challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic as there are no jobs, not enough food, among other basic needs.

But God cares and enlightens in how to survive daily life. Now that the IDPs are staying more at home, they see God’s creation and the environment in their home compound. God gives hope to see a new day in every morning through the environment which surrounds their homes.

They grow plants and vegetables from the seeds that JRS provides and watch these grow daily in the small area in the camp. They find ways in how to love in their daily lives through the small home gardens in their compound. The gardens nourish their families and make them happy in their daily life.

We are all journeying to God. All of us are walking on the way to God and we need strength to face many challenges on the way. And so we walk with Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life, incarnated to save the world and who shows the way to God.

God helps through His creation which gives new hope and the strength to praise God. By seeing God’s creation in their small vegetable gardens, the community of IDPs feels happy and a little better in their life. They feel the love of God through small acts of charity, such as what JRS provides. They say, “We thank God and JRS. We are happy, we have hope, we have the energy to live through each day which comes from creation.”

Sister Helen Doi Ling, SJA is the Pastoral and Accompaniment Officer at JRS-Myanmar in Kachin State.