Maxmur camp, model of common economic
Maxmur camp, model of common economic
Maxmur Refugee Camp, which is considered the most impressive camp in terms of educational and civil society organization, has now started a green housing project. Cucumbers are grown in two 500 meters-long greenhouse tents which have been formed to create a "common economy" which has impressed even the UN under which the camp is.
Maxmur Camp continues to revive its arid, hard and infertile land with different methods to green the area. Besides planting fruit trees in front of all houses and designing park areas despite the difficulties obtaining enough water and electricity, the camp has recently brought in something new for a "common" or "alternative" economy.
As well as representing a first in refugee camps, the greenhouse project is also an important example for the Federal Region of Kurdistan too. Following the UN’s approval of the project which was presented by Maxmur Municipality, the first products of the greenhouse have been put on sale at greengrocers in the camp.
65-year-old Apê Heci welcomed us in one of the two 500 meters-long tents established close to the entrance of the camp. "You can eat as many cucumbers as you want but please do not touch the little ones and do not hurt the seedlings”, says Apê Heci warmly to visitors.
Apê Heci is talking to us while doing his work at the same time. He says that the greenhouse project is seen as the first step in communal economy. Preparations in tents and on soil began on 14 September and first products came into being 40 days later, on 24 October, tells Apê Heci and adds that there are a total of 1400 cucumber seedlings in two tents.
A special irrigation system is needed in the greenhouse where the irrigation is done with equal drops of water. Cucumber roots are watered with straight plastic pipes of water. 40 days is enough for the maturation of cucumbers in these tents which also have a ventilation system to prevent moisture.
Heci touches the leaves as if touching a child he is raising. He says that they use animal manure instead of chemical manure to receive more healthy products.
Ape avoids debating the cost of the greenhouse, but says that they reap around 150 kilograms of cucumber every two days.
"In fact, this greenhouse stands as a model. We are the people of the earth. We have a different relationship with nature. It is important to understand its language. It is like with children, if you approach them with love, they will reply to you in the same way” Ape adds and says that only two people work in the greenhouse to make the cleaning, watering and picking the products.
Apê Heci tells that the production in such a small area and short time even amazed the UN which runs the camp. UN officials who have recently visited the camp and greenhouses promised support to the camp for tomato and pepper production as well, notes Heci.
"Write about our expectations so that the promises made to us can be put into practice and not remain unfulfilled. New tomato and pepper greenhouses will not only provide work opportunity to more people but also enable a healthy and self-sufficient production in the camp.” says Heci.
Maxmur Camp continues to revive its arid, hard and infertile land with different methods to green the area. Besides planting fruit trees in front of all houses and designing park areas despite the difficulties obtaining enough water and electricity, the camp has recently brought in something new for a "common" or "alternative" economy.
As well as representing a first in refugee camps, the greenhouse project is also an important example for the Federal Region of Kurdistan too. Following the UN’s approval of the project which was presented by Maxmur Municipality, the first products of the greenhouse have been put on sale at greengrocers in the camp.
65-year-old Apê Heci welcomed us in one of the two 500 meters-long tents established close to the entrance of the camp. "You can eat as many cucumbers as you want but please do not touch the little ones and do not hurt the seedlings”, says Apê Heci warmly to visitors.
Apê Heci is talking to us while doing his work at the same time. He says that the greenhouse project is seen as the first step in communal economy. Preparations in tents and on soil began on 14 September and first products came into being 40 days later, on 24 October, tells Apê Heci and adds that there are a total of 1400 cucumber seedlings in two tents.
A special irrigation system is needed in the greenhouse where the irrigation is done with equal drops of water. Cucumber roots are watered with straight plastic pipes of water. 40 days is enough for the maturation of cucumbers in these tents which also have a ventilation system to prevent moisture.
Heci touches the leaves as if touching a child he is raising. He says that they use animal manure instead of chemical manure to receive more healthy products.
Ape avoids debating the cost of the greenhouse, but says that they reap around 150 kilograms of cucumber every two days.
"In fact, this greenhouse stands as a model. We are the people of the earth. We have a different relationship with nature. It is important to understand its language. It is like with children, if you approach them with love, they will reply to you in the same way” Ape adds and says that only two people work in the greenhouse to make the cleaning, watering and picking the products.
Apê Heci tells that the production in such a small area and short time even amazed the UN which runs the camp. UN officials who have recently visited the camp and greenhouses promised support to the camp for tomato and pepper production as well, notes Heci.
"Write about our expectations so that the promises made to us can be put into practice and not remain unfulfilled. New tomato and pepper greenhouses will not only provide work opportunity to more people but also enable a healthy and self-sufficient production in the camp.” says Heci.
