Farming for Community Affected by war in D.R.C

 March 2026

 1. The Current Reality: Survival over Sustainability
For the past season, Remember Youth for Change (R.Y.C.)* has been prepared to launch a high-impact, long-term agricultural cycle using *Everest seeds*and perennial crops. However, due to the lack of dedicated funding for land acquisition, we remain in a precarious "Renter’s Trap."

The Decision: Because we do not own the land and face the constant risk of sudden lease termination or rent hikes, we have been forced to pivot. Instead of investing in high-value, long-term crops, we have planted *Sweet Potatoes*.

2. Why Sweet Potatoes? (A Tactical Choice)

We chose sweet potatoes not because they are the most profitable, but because they are **"Short-Cycle Survival Crops."
Speed: They grow quickly, allowing us to harvest before a landlord can change the terms of our lease.
Resilience: They provide immediate caloric relief for our 120 families.
Risk Mitigation: We cannot risk planting expensive, long-term "Everest" seeds on land we might lose in six months.

3. The "Opportunity Cost" of Renting
This situation highlights exactly why the **$35,000 Land Sovereignty Project** is urgent. By renting, we are losing:
Genetic Potential: Everest seeds require stable, multi-year soil management to reach full yield. On rented land, this investment is too risky.
Financial Growth: Sweet potatoes keep us alive today, but they do not generate the surplus needed to fund our Training Center.
Institutional Peace: Our youth remain in a "temporary" mindset, always looking over their shoulder for the next eviction notice.

4. The Call to Action: From Renters to Owners

We have shown that we will not sit idle while waiting for help. We are working the soil we have, even if it is not ours. But we cannot build a future on rented ground.

We are seeking $35,000 to purchase our own 2.5-hectare concession in Mudja.This purchase will allow us to:
1. Stop "Survival Farming": Move from sweet potatoes to high-yield Everest seeds and permanent fruit trees.
2. Save $3,800/Year: Every dollar spent on rent today is a dollar stolen from the education of a former child soldier.
3.Secure the Title: Obtain the *Certificat d’Enregistrement* to ensure no one can ever take this harvest away from our youth.

  5. Conclusion: We are Ready. The Soil is Ready.

The sweet potato harvest will keep us fed this month, but your investment in **Land Ownership** will feed this community for the next fifty years. We have the labor, the skills, and the vision. We only lack the deed to the land.