Strenthening and Transforming families in rurals

Another planting season has begun, and our beneficiaries are eagerly preparing their farms. This year, we are supporting 120 widows with agricultural inputs to help them grow food for their families and improve their livelihoods.

Our agricultural empowerment model continues to show encouraging results. Last year, we worked with 90 widows divided into three groups:

• 30 widows who had successfully graduated from the program and were purchasing their own farm inputs.
• 30 widows receiving their final year of support before transitioning out of the program.
• 30 new widows receiving support for the first time.

Today, we are delighted to report that all four groups are progressing well. Two groups have now been fully empowered and are independently purchasing their own farm inputs through savings accumulated over the years. Another group is graduating from the program this year, while a new group has joined and is receiving support for the first time.

Even after graduation, the empowered groups continue to participate in our meetings and farmer support activities. They now purchase their farm inputs using their own savings, giving them confidence and security as each planting season approaches. They no longer worry about how they will afford seeds and fertilizer, and they are able to plan for the future with greater independence.

Most importantly, these households are producing enough maize and beans, the staple foods in our community, to feed their families throughout the year. Having a reliable supply of food has significantly reduced hunger and strengthened the wellbeing of children and other dependents within these households.

This year, our program will directly benefit more than 1,200 people across 120 households, while an additional 500 people will benefit indirectly through improved household food security and economic stability. We are grateful to report that most of the widows we serve are now free from chronic hunger and are better able to care for their children and families.

Looking ahead, we plan to add another group of widows within the next two years, increasing the number of women served to 150 out of the 400 widows currently on our waiting list. With additional support, we could expand even further and reach many more vulnerable households in a shorter period of time.

We remain deeply grateful for your partnership and encouragement. We invite you to continue sharing the impact of this work with your family, friends, and networks. Together, we can empower more widows, strengthen more families, and create lasting change in the lives of vulnerable children and communities.