those who haven't heard, Farmer-to-Farmer is spreading.... at least in concept! For the past three weeks, I (David) have been in Zambia Africa working with new Zambian partners to attempt to replicate the good results your F2F program in Nicaragua began. I will, Lord willing, be here until December 5.
While the cultures of Zambia and Nicaragua are vastly different, many of the same soul-strangling problems exist. Basics learned in the Nicaragua program are being applied; lessons of both what has worked well, and probably more important, avoiding what has not.
In rural Nicaragua, land availability and ownership is not easily had by small farmers.... In rural Zambia, land is available from Tribal Chiefs, security in knowing this land will not be given to someone else after improvements are made, is not.
In rural Nicaragua, dry-season irrigation is not easily attained by small farmers.... In rural Zambia, dry season irrigation is not easily attained by small farmers.
In rural Nicaragua, daily food security is low.... In rural Zambia, daily food security is low.
In rural Nicaragua, Christians are in a minority, and generally have deep faith and beliefs.... In rural Zambia, the vast majority are Christians, often resorting to pagan means (witch doctor assistance) as a last-ditch effort when tragedy strikes a family.
In all of Nicaragua, impoverished brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers and encouragement.... In all of Zambia, impoverished brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers and encouragement.
One more comparison; Nicaragua is suffering immensely from poverty caused by war and corruption.... Zambia is suffering immensely from poverty caused by foreign aid dependency, corruption, and a deadly disease....
A new Farmer-to-Farmer affiliate group from Western USA is beginning, slowly but steadily, much in the same manner Nicaragua F2F began so many years ago.
While the original Sunnyside Washington F2F group continues it's ag training partnership with CRWRC and the Reformed Church of Zambia, and a partnership with a young Christian school in Eastern Zambia, a new affiliate group is in the planning stages.
The new North American affiliate F2F group is in the initial stages of a partnership which, if divine doors keep opening, will focus on the devastating orphan situation in Zambia. The situation is critical.... tens of thousands (x thousands again) of children and young adults have been orphaned by HIV / AIDS. The ultimate solution is to stop the spread of this horrific disease; the reality is, orphaned children and grandchildren (just like our own), are suffering immensely on a daily basis.
By far, the best place for orphans is with relatives who will raise the child as their own. For those not having living relatives, or close relation capable, or willing..... the future is "bleak" for children not able to survive on their own. I use the word "bleak", but it is a softened word from reality.
As a long-term solution, the new North American affiliate is considering a partnership with an orphan care provider. This "provider", Villages of Hope, will raise orphaned children in a Christ-based, family setting. Christian house mothers will care for orphaned children in homes on Village of Hope property until, as teens, they can move "into society", prayerfully with a Christian Worldview which will hopefully stem HIV / AIDS until eternity.
Soooo, you save an orphans life, all is well..... not really, and far from the truth. To "graduate" a child from an orphanage without life skills is the same as condemning him or her to a life-sentence alongside throngs of street kids in some cities like Lusaka.
Youth from the Village will move into life training programs on Village of Hope property. Farming as a life occupation is not the desire of all; There will be occupational trainings for teens and young adults to choose from such as sewing, hog / chicken / cattle production, food processing / packaging, cooking oil and soap production to name a few possibilities.
Enter the new North American Farmer-to-Farmer affiliate: Those who feel called to agriculture will enter a one-year ag training program. This teaching will be Biblically based: God is the original farmer (in Creation), and all the work done needs to be in a manner glorifying Him. Youth will be taught small-scale farming, simple irrigation, and basic principles of marketing. Daily training will be necessary and provided.
Farm trainee partners who desire, and demonstrate capability, will move to an advanced level of training in the second year. In a sustainable and replicable manner, everything taught is expected to be transferred to others in their communities.
If independent farm land in not in the family, and if the second year farm trainee shows commitment, desire, and ability, farm-land will be sourced. The details are not final, however, re-payment will be expected in the form of percentage of crop for (X) years. Re-payment crops could help in the food needs of Villages of Hope child care homes in a self-sustaining manner.
It is expected, hoped for, and prayed for, that third year trainees (now farm owners) will demonstrate maturity through orphan care, understanding of their profession as a calling, generosity, ethics, and positive impacts on their community.
At the "heart" of this new partnership is a group of in-country Zambian professionals (mentors) with a heart for impoverished Zambians as big as the country itself. This group is made up of former farmers from Zimbabwe..... Christian farmers who had their land confiscated in 2000 by the government, local commercial producers of vegetables, hogs, and cattle, and a farm / dairy / convention center / guest lodge owner near the Villages of hope orphan care farm. Quite a diverse group wouldn't you say?
There you have it! Definitely the "condensed version vision" of the new Farmer-to Farmer Central Zambia.
To think this all had it's start in the late 1990's, when it was identified that rural Nicaraguans without land were in the poorest health.... and partnered with now-Midwest Farmer-to-Farmer in land purchase and trainings....... to think how God orchestrated all this truly leaves me in speechless awe (you could not tell it by the length of this email !!).
