A thriving vegetable gardening project in Gunjur Freetown has suffered a devastating blow after thieves broke into the property, stealing two solar panels and damaging two others beyond. The garden, which supports over 40 women, is owned by one Lamin Barrow.
The project, completed just four weeks ago, transformed an empty plot of land into a productive space equipped with a borehole and eight solar panels to ensure a steady water supply. The land, which is fully fenced and gated, had been a beacon of hope for the women in the area, who were working toward a lucrative harvest in time for Ramadan, when the demand for fresh vegetables is highest.
The break-in occurred six days ago, leaving the women heartbroken and the project disrupted. “I was so heartbroken as the women’s gardening was doing very well,” said Lamin Barrow, the landowner. “Never in my wildest thoughts did I imagine that some folks could be so heartless to remove those solar panels for a few thousand dalasis and deprive these women of their livelihood.”
The loss of the solar panels has significantly impacted the water supply to the garden, jeopardising the women’s efforts to meet their Ramadan harvest target. The garden aimed to provide a source of income and food security for the women, many of whom rely solely on this venture for their families’ sustenance.
This incident is part of a growing problem in Gunjur, where thefts targeting valuable community resources and private properties have been on the rise. The stolen solar panels and damage are estimated to cost thousands of dalasis. The women are now contributing cash to buy fuel to use a neighbours generator to power the borehole in the short term.
The women gardeners, though disheartened, remain hopeful that the stolen panels can be replaced, and measures will be put in place to prevent future incidents. However, the incident has underscored the need for greater security and community vigilance to protect critical resources and ensure the sustainability of such projects.
As the women come to terms with this loss, Lamin Barrow and the women gardeners are appealing for any information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for this act.
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