Our garden of healing - Tania's story

As a horticultural therapist at our South East centre in London, I witness the therapeutic benefit gardening can have for survivors of torture like Tania every single day.

Blog by Rebecca, Horticultural Therapist at Freedom from Torture's South East centre in London

Tania grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe. She felt a strong connection with the earth and loved the outdoors. She felt passionately about human rights, and spoke up against the terrible injustices in her country. For this, she was tortured.

When she eventually escaped, Tania had no choice. She had to flee the country, leaving everybody and everything she loved behind.

Living as a refugee in the UK, Tania was haunted by painful memories. She could barely sleep and was terrified of being sent back.

Every time she closed her eyes, she would hear the cries of the girls who were raped in the prison. That’s when Tania went along to a support group, but every time she tried to express what she felt, tears was all that came out.

These are the words that started Tania’s recovery. They came from one of the women in the support group as she handed Tania a leaflet for our gardening project.

As soon as Tania started potting, her lifelong love of the earth and nature immediately returned. She felt a sense of calm. Tania liked that she could speak as much or as little as she wanted. When she was angry, she dug. When she was feeling fragile, she delicately harvested vegetables.

When she was angry, she dug. When she was feeling fragile, she delicately harvested vegetables.

Just like the beautiful flowers she’s planted, Tania has formed some firm friendships which are blooming at the gardening group.

“This group is just like a family. You find the bond grows on, like you plant a tree, you see yourself sprouting, flourishing, bonding.”

I don’t want anybody to miss out on the incredible therapeutic benefits of our garden. And only you can help more friendships, flowers and recoveries grow in the garden.