Actually, ‘seeds’ does not always mean the little things in bags. Sometimes it’s better if people have small plants – seedlings – to get their gardens growing more quickly. That’s what your gift was for remote communities in Mexico.

When hurricanes hit
In October 2005, the coast and mountains of Chiapas state, in the south-east corner of Mexico, were ravaged by Hurricane Stan. Torrential rain swept away fields, houses, and roads. Families are still struggling to rebuild their lives amid the devastation.

After the hurricane
“The hurricane caused landslides. All the shrubs were damaged, and now I don’t have work. The soil was was badly damaged because the hurricane swept away the manure,” says Reina Miguel López, whose home sits precariously above a landslide

My gift seedlings
Oxfam Unwrapped provided tree seedlings for 900 of the worst-affected families so that they could start growing fruit again and help to reforest the area, preventing further landslides.

A tree package
Families received fruit trees, avocado and coffee bushes, and timber species. “We are thankful because each shrub is expensive,” says Carmela González, pointing to an avocado plant. Families could not afford to replant without assistance.

Gathering fruits
Ruperta Pérez Hernandez struggled to feed her family until her orchard and vegetable garden were restored. They have eaten some produce, sold some more, and are looking forward to their first avocados to ripen.