An online campaign to raise awareness and funds for farmers whose livelihood has been damaged by ‘irresponsible actions’ has been launched.
The collaborative effort is being spearheaded after an onion farm in Barbar was damaged when a group of unknown photographers visited the private property to take pictures, causing an uproar on social media.
The incident paved the way for a joint effort by FotoBH, one of Bahrain’s leading photography platforms that promotes young talents, and Bahrain EcoHub, who visited the site to help the expat farmers.
This also led to a collaboration with A Box of Goodness to create awareness about being environmentally friendly, address acts of vandalism and improve the living conditions of the farmers.
Titled ‘Local Farms Awareness Campaign’, the initiative will continue until July 19 and so far more than BD200 has been raised, according to EcoHub president Shahd Alrabia.
“The first phase is to introduce the five aims of the campaign,” she told the GDN.
“They are to prevent unconventional acts against private property, to conserve Bahrain’s flora and fauna, and to highlight the impact of actions regarding vandalism.
“(The campaign will also) address the overall damage caused by collective irresponsible actions which costs BD1,000, and lastly to aid the farmers with tangible useful materials like food, mattresses, kettles, toasters and clothing.”
Phase Two of the campaign, which is already underway, consists of a competition in which participants have to answer the following question: How long does it take for an onion plant to complete one life cycle? with winners being announced tomorrow.
The GDN previously reported that the act of vandalism caused more than BD1,000 in damage to the farm’s onion crops.
Ms Alrabia, who is also co-founder of Preloved For A Cause, said all proceeds from the sale of items on this platform will also go towards helping the farm.
“So far, we have made BD200 in just a few days and we have seen the participation of around 60 people collectively,” she added.
The campaign also includes a T-shirt auction featuring the paintings of artist Nujabaa Bader, proceeds from which will go towards the farm.
Those interested in supporting the cause can also purchase the works of artist Reem AlHajri available at @Preloved_for_a_cause, and the money raised will be used by A Box of Goodness to purchase the necessary food packs to be given to the farmers.
As part of its initial response, FotoBH was able to close the back gate of the farm to immediately stop trespassing and clean up the farm.
It also collaborated with A Box of Goodness to distribute food supplies and sanitary items to the farmers, and teamed up with Bahrain EcoHub to raise environmental awareness.
The group also collaborated with a graffiti artist to create a no entry sign in an artistic way.
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