Community is a powerful thing. Working together, sharing ideas, and borrowing resources with your community means that everyone can grow together.
This was what Mathias learned at the age of 54 in the community of Kabarore. He’d lived most of his life with his wife and four children as a subsistence farmer, living hand to mouth, growing just enough food to make it to the next harvest.
But Kabarore is made up of tight-knit communities. Families help each other in times of need—if they can, but rarely is there much to go around. Kabarore was like fertile soil for Food for the Hungry’s (FH) seeds of new ideas and opportunities.
When FH began to walk alongside Kabarore, they taught local farmers about new, restorative farming techniques that helped Mathias produce more fruits and vegetables in his garden while keeping his landing fertile. Eager to share what he learned through these agricultural training workshops, Mathias shared with other farmers nearby.
They were quick to adopt the new ideas—the proof was right there in Mathias’s garden. “People are adopting restorative agriculture techniques and increasing vegetable production!” Mathias explains.
It didn’t stop with the agricultural workshops. Mathias joined FH’s Dairy Cow program and received a cow that would provide him with milk and calves. Mathias says, “I will keep my own cow that will reproduce and I will give another one to another beneficiary. I am already benefiting [from] manure for my gardens!”
Community members further share the information they’ve learned in Cascade groups, which promote hygiene and nutrition lessons. Mathias explains the impact, saying, “The community is adopting basic hygiene practices and the result is clearly witnessed from health facilities as the cases of diseases related to poor hygiene practices are diminishing.”
If it weren’t for Kabarore’s communal mentality, these families wouldn’t be able to thrive. By sharing knowledge and gifting cows to their neighbours, the people of Kabarore are working together to end poverty and build a brighter future for themselves.
“I ask God to continue to guide FH for its good mission for us…. I feel very happy and thankful for FH and am filled with hope for a bright future!” exclaims Mathias.
You can help families like Mathias' by starting them off with seeds and agricultural training for a household garden!
