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The Mango Farm Project was a project like no other. The goal was to provide a home for Chaya*, a special needs rescue girl who had been with Destiny Rescue for over seven years.

Her family had little form of income to care for her and were at a loss what to do. Finally, the solution presented itself in a local mango farm became available for lease. The farm consisted of one hundred and fifty mango trees, banana plants, guava, longan fruit trees and two ponds (one of which contains fish!).

Destiny Rescue immediately launched “The Mango Farm Project” to help Chaya’s family lease the farm, provide housing, and the cost of living for one year. Within a couple of days the entire project was funded. Destiny Rescue social workers jumped into action, securing the rights to the farm for Chaya’s family and making certain the lease terms were agreeable.

To the delight of the family and the Destiny Rescue social workers, all the plants were ready to bear fruit and provide the family with an immediate crop. In addition to the income the fruit trees would generate, Destiny Rescue provided the family with ten ducks to produce eggs and gave Chaya the dog she had befriended while living at our Cambodian Rescue home.

Although there was a shack on the property, repairs were needed. New roofing iron was provided; boards for the walls and second-hand windows were also installed. The house was also extended to allow the family space to cook and prepare meals. Finally, an enclosure was created beneath the house for the ducks. When all the repairs and additions were finished, the home was not only weather-proof, but able to adequately house Chaya’s family.

When everything was settled, it was time to reunite Chaya with her family. Although there was a bit of sadness saying goodbye to the Destiny Rescue workers who had been her family for so many years, Chaya was happy to finally return to her family. Her reunion with her family was a truly joyful one.

Since the leasing of the mango farm, Chaya has been able to completely reintegrate with her family on the new property and she is very happy to be “home.” Now, Chaya spends as much time outside as possible helping in the garden.

Chaya’s family was able to use some of the money available, through the fund, to purchase fertiliser for the mango trees and a pump-and-hose system for watering the plants regularly. Her brother estimates that within three months the mango trees will be ready for harvesting and he anticipates another crop will be ready before the end of the year. If all goes well, the mango farm will generate plenty of income for Chaya’s family for many years to come.

*To protect the identity of this child and her family, names have been changed.