New Cistern and Campus Learning Garden at GMercyU

In celebration of Earth Week, the GMercyU community in collaboration with Mercy Focus on Haiti (MFOH) built a cistern on campus. The project stems from a partnership started in 2018 between GMercyU and MFOH when faculty, staff, and students traveled to Gros Morne, Haiti to learn about MFOH’s offerings. Due to political unrest in Haiti, it is not possible for GMercyU representatives to travel. To stand in solidarity with the Haitian community, GMercyU collaborated with MFOH to build a cistern on campus.

The cistern’s purpose is to collect rain water that will be used to irrigate the Campus Learning Garden near Valie Genuardi Hall. It’s presence will serve as a reminder of GMercyU’s connection to the ongoing work in Haiti.

The Campus Learning Garden was created by the first graduating cohort of Public Health students in 2023 with the support of the Montgomery County Health Alliance and donors Richard and Kathleen Target. The garden houses fruit, vegetables, herbs, and pollinating flowers. In spring 2024, Public Health Program Coordinator Sharla Willis, PhD and her students expanded the garden by including more raised beds. In addition, new fencing and netting was added to protect the garden from campus wildlife.

Produce from the garden will be harvested by students and go directly to Catherine’s Cupboard, offering fresh food options in addition to the canned and boxed goods on its shelves.

Members of GMercyU and the outside community are invited to donate to the project now through fall 2024. To make a donation, click here.