Mercy Corps

In southeastern Mauritania, Barke waters crops at a farming cooperative that was established in 2008. Ghadima, the name of the farm co-op, means “the old one.” This was one of the most remote assignments Mercy Corps’ Director of Global Photography has had, requiring a full two days of driving across the Sahara Desert to reach the community.   As part of Mercy Corps’ Nafoore program, participants received business and technical training, seeds, and equipment for the farm. Co-op members have seen increased productivity with their range of crops including cowpeas, tomatoes, and eggplants. Mercy Corps programs like Nafoore use a holistic approach that addresses the different, yet interconnected, needs of communities. In Mauritania, participants are not only increasing their own food security through the co-op farm but improving their livelihoods, which help to set up a more stable future for all.