Zai Hole Community Garden For  Roi Faycal humanist student club

Group:   Roi Faycal humanist student club

Members:

Idriss Mahamat Nouri

Gender: Male

Age: 22

Phone: +235 66 12 34 56

Email: idrissuri648@gmail.com

Amina Hassan Djimet

Gender: Female

Age: 21

Phone: +235 99 45 23 87

Email: aminafgo02@gmail.com

Abakar Oumar Abdallah

Gender: Male

Age: 24

Phone: +235 77 10 94 12

Email: —

Fatime Zara Brahim

Gender: Female

Age: 20

Phone: +235 90 20 85 33

Email: fatime.z.brahim@gmail.com

Moussa Mahadine Issa

Gender: Male

Age: 23

Phone: +235 66 32 76 19

Email: —

Mahamat Saleh Bourma

Gender: Male

Age: 25

Phone: +235 68 59 91 44

Email: mah.s.bourma@gmail.com

Abdoulaye Youssouf Ali

Gender: Male

Age: 22

Phone: +235 77 45 67 88

Email: —

Souleymane Djibrine Kossi

Gender: Male

Age: 23

Phone: +235 66 78 55 99

Email: —

Ramatou Ahmat Moussa

Gender: Female

Age: 21

Phone: +235 90 11 44 22

Email: ramolrejoussa@gmail.com

Nouradine Abdelkerim

Gender: Male

Age: 24

Phone: +235 68 67 90 01

Email: —

Email:   roifaycalhumanist@gmail.com

Phone:   +235 66 12 34 56

Why did your group become humanist and what does humanism mean to your group?

In a society where tradition often determines identity and unquestioned beliefs shape daily life, a growing number of young people are beginning to ask deeper, more challenging questions. At Roi Faycal University in Chad, a group of students found themselves drawn together by a shared sense of curiosity, a thirst for reason, and a quiet dissatisfaction with the limits imposed by inherited norms. From these conversations and convictions, the Roi Faycal Humanist Student Club was born an initiative driven not by rebellion, but by the sincere pursuit of a more thoughtful, inclusive, and humane way of life.

We are a diverse group of students who have chosen to embrace Humanism as our guiding philosophy. This decision did not come easily; it followed years of wrestling with cultural expectations and religious teachings that often demanded conformity without explanation. While we recognize the historical role that tradition and religion have played in shaping our communities, we can no longer accept doctrines that restrict personal freedom, discourage questioning, or promote inequality.

Our collective experience has taught us that many of the beliefs we inherited were not grounded in reason or compassion, but in fear, superstition, and social pressure. We saw how unquestioned customs could perpetuate gender discrimination, stifle intellectual growth, and suppress individual identity. In choosing Humanism, we are choosing a worldview that celebrates the power of critical thinking, ethical living, and mutual respect.

Humanism, for us, is not just a philosophy, it is a way forward. It challenges us to live responsibly, to base our actions on reason and evidence, and to uphold the dignity of every person regardless of religion, gender, background, or belief. It calls us to reject harmful traditions, not out of contempt, but out of a desire to build a better, freer, and more just society.

Through this club, we aim to foster open dialogue, encourage secular education, promote human rights, and contribute to a culture of tolerance and progress in Chad. We are not turning our backs on our communities, we are striving to uplift them with ideas rooted in compassion, reason, and universal human values.

By forming the Roi Faycal Humanist Student Club, we are making a collective commitment: to think for ourselves, to live with integrity, and to advocate for a future where humanity comes first.

Project Description

The ROI FAYCAL Humanist Student Club is proud to launch the Zai Hole Community Garden Initiative, a student-led agricultural project designed to promote sustainability, food security, and entrepreneurial skills among students at ROI-FAYCAL University in Chad. This initiative will use the traditional and climate-resilient Zai hole farming technique, which is well-suited to our arid environment and has proven effective in restoring degraded land, improving soil fertility, and maximizing crop yields with minimal water.

At the heart of this project is the desire to empower students through hands-on learning in sustainable agriculture and community development. The garden will serve as a living laboratory where students can practice regenerative farming, experiment with crop diversification, and gain practical skills in land preparation, irrigation, composting, and organic cultivation. In addition to improving food availability on campus, the harvests from the garden will be sold locally, giving students a real-world opportunity to engage in entrepreneurship and small-scale agribusiness. Revenues will be reinvested into expanding the project, funding club activities, and supporting vulnerable students.

Beyond agriculture, this project is a platform for environmental stewardship, teamwork, and self-reliance. It will help students connect with their cultural heritage by using indigenous farming knowledge while innovating for modern challenges. The garden will also be a peaceful and productive space for learning, volunteering, and community bonding.

Through the Zai Hole Community Garden, the ROI FAYCAL Humanist Student Club seeks not only to grow crops, but also to grow leaders, innovators, and change-makers. With the right support, this initiative has the potential to become a model of sustainable student-led development in Chad and beyond.

Budget

• Hoes (10 pcs) – $35

• Shovels (5 pcs) – $30

• Rakes (5 pcs) – $25

• Watering cans (10 pcs) – $30

• Pickaxes (5 pcs) – $25

• Buckets (10 pcs) – $20

• Wheelbarrow (1) – $45

• Fencing materials – $90

• Gloves & boots (10 sets) – $50

• Organic compost & manure – $40

• Millet seeds – $15

• Sorghum seeds – $10

• Cowpeas – $12

• Groundnuts – $10

• Okra – $8

• Tomatoes – $10

• Amaranth – $6

• Moringa – $9

• Water barrel (200L) – $35

• Basic drip irrigation kit – $65

• yam barn $100

• silo construction $130


• Total $800

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The Zai Hole Community Garden Project is expected to begin generating income within the first 4 to 6 months after planting. Once the initial crops such as okra, tomatoes, amaranth, and cowpeas mature, students will begin harvesting and selling produce in the local university market and surrounding community. These vegetables, being fast-growing and in high demand, can be harvested multiple times within a growing season, especially with careful irrigation and organic fertilization. The club anticipates earning between $150 to $250 per harvest cycle, depending on yield and market prices. Income will be reinvested into garden maintenance, seed purchase, and scaling up the project to include more plots or additional crops such as moringa and groundnuts, which have both nutritional and commercial value.

The timeline for the project rollout begins immediately after funding and material procurement. Month 1 will be dedicated to land preparation, digging Zai holes, installing fencing, and sourcing seeds and compost. Month 2 will focus on planting and setting up the basic irrigation system. From Months 3 to 5, crops will be maintained, watered, and monitored closely for health and growth. The first full harvest is expected by the end of Month 5 or early Month 6, with market sales beginning shortly afterward. Over time, the project aims to introduce a crop rotation plan and expand to additional sustainable farming practices to improve long-term soil fertility and productivity. With consistent management, the garden will operate year-round, allowing for multiple harvests per year and creating a small but reliable stream of income for the student club while also building entrepreneurial and agricultural skills among members.

Benefits to Community

Improved Food Security:

The garden will produce fresh, affordable vegetables and staple crops that can help address food shortages in the surrounding community.

Youth Empowerment:

Students will gain hands-on experience in sustainable farming and agribusiness, equipping them with practical skills to create jobs and start future agricultural ventures.

Environmental Restoration:

By using the Zai hole technique, the project will help rehabilitate degraded land, improve soil fertility, and conserve rainwater in a dry climate.

Economic Opportunity:

Local community members may benefit through employment (labor, transport, sales) and access to affordable, locally grown produce.

Knowledge Sharing:

The project can serve as a demonstration site where community members can learn about water-efficient farming techniques and sustainable land management.

Health and Nutrition:

Increased access to nutrient-rich vegetables like moringa, tomatoes, and amaranth can improve dietary diversity and public health.

Strengthened University-Community Relations:

The project fosters collaboration between students and local residents, creating a spirit of solidarity, service, and shared responsibility.

Replicable Model for Other Communities:

If successful, the project can be replicated by other student groups or neighborhoods seeking sustainable agricultural solutions in arid areas.