Break Near-starvation Cycle for Congolese Farmers

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you amazing donors! Because of your generosity the micro-farming project, Break Near-starvation Cycle for Congolese Farmers, is very much alive and well! In order to be designated an official member of the GlobalGiving community and eligible for matching campaigns, corporate opportunities, and other fundraising promotions, we had to attract 40 donors and raise $5000 during the campaign between November 26 and December 31. I was worried. You came through with flying colors: 66 donors and $36,130 raised! We tied for 15^th place out of over 450 projects in number of donors. And----drumroll, please, we were Number 1 in donations secured! Congratulations and thanks for your contributions!

If you think I was excited, you are correct. However, my happiness was nothing compared to the joy and heartfelt gratitude from Jacques Mwinkeu, our lead agronomist for the project in Lubumbashi, when he received notification that the local bank had received the money transfer from GlobalGiving. He was thrilled beyond belief and sends his thanks.  

 Gregoire Mutshali, president of the Congolese NGO, CTD, which coordinates the professional volunteers, wrote: "Thank you for the efforts and sacrifices made for us. In my capacity of president of NGO CTD, I say thank you for your time and talents which reflect your love for humanity and for charity that never fails. We work to protect the dignity of all. We provide humanitarian services in joy and serve the beneficiaries with love and respect."

In 2017-2018, the corn project directed by Jacques Mwinkeu and CTD volunteers, funded by donations through GlobalGiving,  educated 86 farm families in best agricultural practices, including wise layout of their hectare, effective week control, and efficient farming methods. Each farmer was provided top quality hybrid corn seed specifically bred for African highlands, as well as fertilizer and insecticide. 33% of the families were headed by a woman and corn yields were 400% above average! Over $19,000 was repaid by the farmers, which then allowed CTD to fund additional families with corn seed for the October 2018 planting season.

The 2018 harvest gave much hope to the villagers. Mr. Songolo lived in a house made of straw, but through the money he made, he built a home of clay bricks (which he made himself) and a metallic roof. Mr. Cesare Tshandalala also bought a metallic roof for his house and a solar panel. Mr. Remon Kimbala bought a diesel flour mill. Maman Kaj, a widow raising her four orphaned grandchildren, can pay tuition for the two oldest children to attend school! Families' lives were changed!

The money contributed by you this year will be used to plant beans in February and cassava cuttings in March. This is the rainy season in Lubumbashi and those two staple crops will do well. Money repaid by farmers from these plantings and your continued financial contributions will fund corn planting next fall.

Your contributions pay for much more than buying food for starving people. Families can pay for school tuition, healthcare, tin roofs for homes, and most important---they are becoming self-reliant and have personal dignity.