FORT WORTH -- Sah Biswa was a gifted farmer in Bhutan who grew his own oranges, guavas and coconuts.
Now, as a refugee living in the United States, Biswa waits in line each week at a neighborhood food pantry to receive canned goods and days-old produce.Working with the Tarrant Area Food Bank, two Fort Worth churches have launched a community garden to help dozens of Bhutanese refugees again grow their own food.On a recent Saturday morning, Biswa and his family laid soil and worked on the family's garden. Biswa said he missed growing his own food but could not do so in his small Fort Worth apartment.Altamesa Church of Christ, which is leading the project, has provided space for 27 plots, each measuring roughly 4 by 12 feet. Depending on its size, each family receives one or two plots. The Life Church in Fort Worth contributed $8,000 to help purchase supplies, and the food bank is lending its gardening expertise."We are focused on helping people who want to help themselves," said Rich Briggs, director of the Altamesa's Neighborhood Needs, which gives food, clothing and other assistance to the needy. "The Bhutanese work very hard and want to grow their own food, and we can help them stand on their own two feet."Refugees from Bhutan, which is wedged between China and India, began trickling into the United States in 2008 after the government exiled those of Nepali descent. Before arriving here, they spent years in United Nations refugee camps in southeastern Nepal.An estimated 3,000 Bhutanese refugees now live in North Texas. Since 2010, about 450 have resettled in Tarrant County, said officials with Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, which provides services to refugees.Altamesa Church stepped in to assist the refugees, providing space for the Bhutanese to worship. In addition to the garden, the church expects to open a new community center this week with Internet and computer access, copy and fax machines and other services.Church members and refugees will plant the first round of vegetables, including tomatoes, okra and peppers, this month. Although many of the Bhutanese were skilled farmers, gardeners from the two churches will be on hand to provide a few tips about growing food in Texas. For example, greens will not grow in the dead of summer, and tomatoes need lots of sun.Once the garden is planted, the Bhutanese growers will be responsible for watering and harvesting vegetables."Working with your hands and growing your own food builds a self-sufficience," said Dewitt Mahanay, an Altamesa member and gardener. "It's important to teach these children that vegetables don't just come from the grocery store."Food pantries provide an invaluable service in feeding the hungry, said Katey Rudd, community gardening coordinator for the Tarrant Area Food Bank, which helped build the raised garden beds. But community gardens go a step further."We want to build the infrastructure to create sustainable and hunger-free communities," Rudd said."Growing your own food can be cheaper, it helps decrease environmental pollution, and it's a great way to eat well and work with your hands."Sarah Bahari, 817-390-7056Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
