100 Gardeners in 100 Days: Will you be one of them?

Climate change related catastrophes are increasing in their frequency and severity. Here in the United States, Puerto Rico is recovering from the devastation left by Hurricane Fiona and as I write this email Hurricane Ian has left a trail of enormous destruction in Florida.

For us, the last eight weeks has seen a steady increase of emails from our partners around the world, asking for emergency help in the face of their own intense climate change induced disasters.

Rockflower is not set up to provide emergency humanitarian relief, our mandate is to provide early stage investment for social enterprises and community based organizations improving the lives of women and girls on the global margins. However, as was the case during COVID, partnership is an ongoing responsibility and one that requires a listening and attentive ear during times of crisis.

These are real people, with real names, in real moments of need. Siddique in Pakistan has been working around the clock for weeks to ensure that the 45,000 people under the care of CSP are given the assistance they need as a result of the devastating flooding which has covered a third of Pakistan in water.

Moreen in Mbale, Uganda has been assisting those whose lives have been upended by recent flooding there, and Juliet and Mary in Kasese, Uganda, have been helping those affected by the recent mudslides who have lost homes and family members. Michael in South Sudan was left speechless by the devastating flooding in his home town in South Sudan.

All of this can feel overwhelming, but one thing I have learned from all the years of doing this work is that small acts of intervention really do matter.  We have sent funding assistance to these partners, which has provided some much needed respite, but we need to do so much more. I started to think about what that “more” would look like.  

Many of you are already monthly gardeners to Rockflower and for your generosity we are eternally grateful. But often I hear people say "I don't have much to give - what difference would $25 a month really make?" My reply is always - I can promise you it would mean a great deal. 

Starting today, October 1st for 100 days through to January 7th 2023, we plan to sign up 100 new monthly Gardeners. 

If 100 people sign up for just $25 a month, that will be an extra $2,500 a month and $30,000 a year, which will add significantly to our emergency fund. These climate related disasters are only going to increase and the needs will be even greater. Whilst we continue to support and fund those whose innovations are providing much needed climate adaptation, like our most recent partner Flicker of Hope in Kenya, we must also find a way to offer support at times of dire need. 

Please consider becoming a monthly Rockflower Gardener - I can promise you that it will be one of the best investments in hope and possibility you will make.

-Tine Ward, CEO, Rockflower

Help Save Society Foundation to defy the odds and provide much needed relief during Extreme Flooding in South Sudan

Over the past few weeks, heavy rain has led to catastrophic flooding that has affected more than 700,000 people across South Sudan. Several states are experiencing the worst floods recorded since 1962. Homes, farmlands, and businesses are being swept away and thousands are fleeing to either the capital city or to neighboring communities on higher ground. Climate change is likely to blame for this unrelenting flood period in South Sudan, where four out five people are living in “absolute poverty.” 

Rockflower partner, Save Society Foundation is located in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan. SSF works with marginalized communities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, women, youth, and people with disabilities, to provide a better standard of living through economic transformation, improved health, quality education and  promotion of peace, conflict mitigation and democracy. Michael Ariamba, Executive Director of SSF has been updating us on the nationwide devastation caused by the recent floods. 

“Most of the victims are women and children...some 200 women with their children are taking refuge in their relatives’ houses/homes and they need basic needs such as shelter, blankets, cooking utensils, soaps, mosquito nets and plastic sheets. 

These women and girls, some of them need to be trained in entrepreneurship skills...to support what they are trying to do on their own in market places in Juba to help their children and also pay for their children’s school fees. This will sustain them while awaiting relief foods that can be seen as a quick solution to rescue them and their families from their dire situations.”

Food insecurity in South Sudan has been furthered by an increase in conflict within the nation. The movement of people to higher ground has caused conflict between communities, fighting for their own preservation. This has increased the scarcity of food and complicated the ability of intervention by humanitarian aid organizations. Some communities have chosen to relocate to the capital city, with some making a seven day trek to safety. “Women, children, and elderly people arrived exhausted and hungry,” said Mr. Jamal, who is the interim UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.

Climate change is undoubtedly affecting the entire world, but East Africa is facing particularly disastrous weather conditions, and impoverished nations like South Sudan are struggling to keep their citizens alive. South Sudan is facing an alternating cycle of both flood and drought that could leave them without agriculture. In eight of the nation’s ten states, the flooding has caused livestock to  drown, and vital crops such as sorghum and millet to be destroyed. Since August of this year the cost of food has risen by 15%, leaving more than 60% of its population suffering from severe hunger.”

Right now, South Sudan is in a dire situation. Rockflower is working to channel more funding to SSF as they work to aid their community and provide basic necessities. At the same time they continue to teach entrepreneurial skills to women in order to economically empower them through this difficult time. Our partners are seen as beacons of hope in their communities, and when disaster strikes, people look to them for support. We plan on providing additional funding to SSF, but need your help to raise this immediate assistance. We would greatly appreciate any donation to Rockflower at this time so that we may support our partners on the frontlines of these natural disasters.

Five Women's Stories of Capital Investment through Save Society Foundation

Michael Ariamba, Founder and Executive Director of Save Society Foundation in South Sudan, sent us a report of five women’s stories. The seed money received from Rockflower has helped women with their businesses that needed an injection of capital that couldn’t request loans at nearby banks.

Khamisa Stephen - Restaurant in Hai Jabel

“My husband and I have seven children. We have struggled to raise them due to a lack of income, we can’t pay for their school fees or their health bills. I started my business with a small amount of capital, less than $50 USD, which isn’t even enough to buy chairs or plates for my restaurant. 

I received the $200 USD (equals SSP 33,000) in seed money from Save Society Foundation and Rockflower as my first loan. Now, I can scale my business by buying 10 chairs and a number of plates. I have already seen an increase in my sales and clientele. 

My future plans include continuing to increase my capital to have a sustainable basis for my business to grow. This will increase my income and improve my children’s futures by allowing them to go to school.”

Maimona Stephen - Sells African Clothing in Hai Jabel

“I am a single mother of 5 children. My husband abandoned us. I started a small business selling secondhand and new African clothing. It was hard to start my business and did not thrive at first because local banks do not give out small loans. 

I received a loan from the seed money Save Society Foundation gave out from Rockflower. In one month, I have increased my inventory and seen a growth in sales. This has already improved my family’s living standards economically and my children will have a better future.”

Florence Sadia - Hair Salon in Hai Jabel

“In South Sudan, it is not easy to get loans from banks, especially since I am a widow and do not have a bank grantee. I lost my husband during the war and am a single mother of three children. 

The seed money has allowed me to scale my business. During the past month, I have added more materials resulting in more options in my shop. I’ve already seen a difference, my daily sales have increased.”

Joice Kila - Sells Vegetables in St Kizito Market, Juba

“I have lost my husband and was left a single mother. Due to medical costs I couldn’t afford, 3 of my four children passed away. My child and I moved from Khartoum to Juba. But I had no hope left, we had no money, nowhere to live and no employment. I was desperate for help and one day, someone gave me the advice to start my own business. I began a mobile business selling vegetables, such as casava and sweet potatoes, in the markets of Juba, South Sudan. With the seed money from Save Society Foundation and Rockflower, I was able to buy a wheelbarrow. Now I don’t have to carry the buckets of vegetables I can push them. This has also allowed me to have more product at one time and increased my sales. The small rise in profits has already increased our living standards.”

Loyce Hawa - Sells Soft Drinks in Shuku Libya Market Place

“A few years ago, my husband abandoned my children and me, leaving me a single mother. Life was hard to bear. I had no means of support. I had to change my living situation, so I opened a small business selling soft drinks. However, this did not sustain our household as the rent was high for both my business and our house. 

With the capital injection into my business from Rockflower and Save Society Foundation, I am able to support my family and improve my business.”

Rockflower Partners with the Save Society Foundation

Rockflower is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Save Society Foundation.

The Save Society Foundation works at the community level in South Sudan to build the capacity of the marginalized communities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, women, youth, and peoples with disabilities, to enable them to have a better standard of living through economic transformation, improved health, quality education and promotion of peace, conflict mitigation and democracy.

Due to wars and illnesses, such as HIV and AIDS, Sudanese women have lost their husbands. The Improve Standard of Living for Homeless Sudanese Women project will help them to start earning an income and improve their housing conditions with their savings to pay land title deeds, land surveys for permanent ownership, pay school tuition fees for their children, and/or healthcare.