Syrian refugees grow crops from old mattresses

Growing crops from old mattresses

in the sprawling Jordanian desert

Location: Zaatari refugee camp

Syrian refugees are working with experts

to grow lush vertical gardens

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE AND MEMBER OF HYDROPONICS TEAM, AHMAD ZOUBI, SAYING:

"I love working on this project because I enjoy farming. Spending time among the plants, and working with vegetables is different than working in construction. So I enjoy this, especially since the process is technologically advanced, and the process is clean. Traditional agriculture is full of mud and sand, this is just water. We come clean and we leave clean."

The method involves placing mattress foam

into small recycled cups with seedlings and water

The cups are then suspended in pipes

with water flowing through them

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE AND MEMBER OF HYDROPONICS TEAM, HASSAN JILDEH, SAYING:

"The project has several goals and positive outcomes. To begin with, it allows us to become self-sufficient, it also saves water. This agricultural project can be implemented in crowded or small spaces. With regards to the produce, it's all 100 percent natural and pure, without chemicals or hormones, so the fruits and vegetables we produce are 100 percent healthy."