Author name: Nadine Cruickshanks

The bamboo shoots (see April, 2025 post) are growing strong on the shores of BFFF. These fast-growing and health-enriching plants will help to prevent soil erosion, absorb carbon dioxide while producing oxygen, and provode a viable, renewable resource for the BFFF community.

We thank the BFFF community for pulling together to plant our organically grown, trial Hibiscus garden – along with health-enriching sister-plants, Marigold and Lemongrass.

BFFF’s goal for Outreach and Education was highlighted with our team pulling together to bring Canadian filmmaker, Maaike, to BFFF land. As Maaike works on a historical film featuring Plant Medicine with women in this region, Hillary Mwakire identified 32 plants and their medicinal properties – plants that were taught to our BFFF community through

BFFF Youth members take the lead in preparing land for a Plant Nursery Garden. Youth Leaders, Hillary and Martha, assist in the organization and active work. Young BFFF members also take time to taste the sweet gift of Strawberries. More to come….Next stage is the purchasing and planting of seeds for the Nursery Garden.Health-enriching and

Bamboo-planting Event (April 30, 2025) Bunyonyi Food Forest Foundation is grateful to Self Help Africa who donated and delivered 50 bamboo shoots to BFFF land. BFFF community members – from all genders, ages, and backgrounds – came together to plant these bamboo to strengthen BFFF’s long shoreline, help decrease soil erosion, and provide future opportunities

https://youtu.be/frMy_h5rNDc?si=jCB5CX4IeHCJ9prE BFFF is grateful to award-winning Ugandan film-makers’ (King & Tash) for taking part in BFFF events and experiences and capturing the unfolding story of BFFF. Most recent documentary was produced in March, 2025. This follows the first production in March, 2024. https://youtu.be/W24O_rlzVEo?si=TReC8uKTgTpFm04X

Fruitful Times at BFFF… The over 200 trees, plants, shrubs, and seedlings that were planted (on Feb. 22, 2025) are thriving due to the onset of Lake Bunyonyi’s rainy season and the care-taking by BFFF member, George Atwebembere. A documented list of plants and locations has also been created (thanks to BFFF member, Joe Karmel).

Given the number of tragic deaths due to drownings and capsizing of boats/canoes, BFFF has begun designing affordable boat safety prototypes. https://youtu.be/gmADLBVQ2Pk?si=zktgJNB1HDEktBHihttps://youtu.be/o13yjPgTMto?si=ZSmYg94v6Lejjjm8 Given the prime lakefront location – with a contained bay area – future plans for BFFF include: i) Building a swimming lessons dock, ii) Youth involvement for boat safety innovation, iii) Lake conservation