Gosheni is a holistic initiative whose purpose is to transform the lives of East African Refugees resettled in Louisville, KY through farming. It provides trauma recovery and healing through farming, utilizing cross-cultural and multicultural therapy. The strength of the program lies in the fact that the refugees are served in their native languages of Swahili, Kinyarwanda, French, Kirundi, and Kinyamulenge,
The farm, is commonly known as “the healing place” among the East African Community. It has brought healing and hope to hundreds of refugees promoting mental health and physical wellness, education, food security, and belonging for refugees using culturally sensitive, culturally competent, and linguistically appropriate approaches. Many participants have reported finding the farm as a place to silence their mind and strengthen their souls and bodies as they connect with their inner selves – who they are and who they have the potential to become, which is a significant component of the healing journey.
The farm is a hands-on approach that allows the sustainability of the environment through the proper use of land. It is rooted in the best pesticide-free farming practices to grow food that nourishes the body, mind, soul, and spirit.
The farm started in 2015 as Hope Community Farm and expanded to become Gosheni in 2023, after Gate of Hope purchased 19 acres of land in Southwest Louisville, to expand the ministry. The farm was initially created in response to the need to fight depression, loneliness and chronic illness among the elderly. Participants work through mental health challenges as they build their resilience and perseverance.
Gosheni promotes health, education, food security and belonging for refugees.
Offers a holistic approach to fighting depression, isolation, loneliness and increasing chronic illnesses. It integrates farming education, farming activity and cross-cultural therapy using trauma- informed counseling approaches.
Equips refugee growers with technical, organizational, and entrepreneurial skills.
Contributes to the reduction of food insecurity by providing fresh, healthy produce and supports communities in the development of a sustainable, local food system alongside other regional food growers. This access has resulted in improved health of the community.
Builds a strong sense of community and belonging for refugees. Growers develop a sense of independence and pride in who they are.
The commercial farm integrates farming education, farming activity and cross-cultural therapy using trauma- informed counseling approaches to bring healing to many of the elderly refugees struggling with trauma, depression, isolation, loneliness and chronic diseases. Counseling sessions take place in the garden setting.
It is an income generating enterprise, whereby elderly refugees, and those who would otherwise be unemployed, work together to grow a variety of organic produce, that are then sold to consumers from around Louisville including grocery stores, individual community members, Gosheni farm stand and in local farmer’s markets. This model provides a means of livelihood to elderly refugees who work the farm.
Additionally, it has allowed local community members to develop a relationship with refugee farmers who grow their food and learn more about how food is grown which has increased opportunities to build healthy community networks. The commercial farm has also opened up doors for increased community engagement through our volunteer program where members of the local community come to volunteer and serve alongside our new neighbors allowing for a rich cultural exchange and experience.
Access to the farm has resulted in improved health of the community, both nutritionally and socially. The growers take ownership, responsibility, and accountability within their community, allowing them to feel like they are contributing to the advancement of our shared community. They build a strong sense of community and belonging.
Gosheni operates a buyers club and a farm stand during the farming season where the freshly harvested produce is sold to the community.
These are of plots of land allocated to individual refugee families, who then grow their own food for personal consumption or to sell.
This offers refugees the opportunity to grow cultural foods, develop new farm businesses, and build healthy community networks.
Working on the farm and eating their own produce has had a positive impact on the refugees’ overall health. As farmers, they find purpose through the planning and caring for garden plots.
In addition to farming, Gosheni will develop housing for the elderly and Gosheni Community Outreach Center that will house:
A prayer & spiritual retreat house.
An administrative center that includes offices, computer labs, game rooms, outdoor sports facility, creative spaces, & classroom spaces.
Culturally sensitive holistic refugee integration services & programs.
A safe house for vulnerable women and girls
Where did the name Gosheni Farm come from?
Gosheni is the Kinyarwanda translation for the word Goshen in the Bible referenced in Exodus where the Israelites resided and flourished for over 400 years. Goshen was a fertile land, a land that provided sustenance in a time of famine, and an area where God displayed His protective power. It was the place where Israel’s family was reconciled to one another
How can I volunteer with Gosheni Farm?
To volunteer, please send us a message through our contact page or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to serving alongside you.
The land has been named Gosheni Farms, the kinyarwanda name for Goshen, a biblical reference to the fertile land that was set apart and spared when the plagues struck Egypt, allowing the Israelites to be safe and flourish.
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P.O Box 6481 Louisville, KY 40206
502-381-0711
Gate of Hope Ministries International is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.
