But, with support from people like you, 15 farm schools have been established. Facilitated by Just Earth, these schools teach participants how to grow more fruitful harvests with smaller plots of land. Local pastors also run a Bible study at the beginning of each session. The demonstration nurseries include: 

• cabbage 

• carrots 

• leeks 

• tomatoes 

• eggplants 

• onions 

• celery 

• local chili peppers 

Esther, one of the farm school participants, was skeptical when she first joined. How could she yield a larger harvest on a smaller plot of land? However, when Esther prepared her own plot of the same size (13 by 33 metres) to compare results, she was surprised to yield basketfuls of eggplants.  

Now, full of motivation and confidence, Esther regularly uses the techniques she learnt in the farmer training. This season, she has grown maize and groundnuts and is grateful for all she has learned. “Even at my age, I’m still learning,” she says, “and now I’m teaching my grandchildren to do the same.” 

This farmer training program means that communities now have the capacity to provide their daily needs. With this comes better health and a regained sense of dignity.  

Your gift can help transform of livelihoods of communities the Maniema province of DR Congo and invest in their spiritual growth.