SIA SBF Coordinators watch a presentation about tree seedlings and reforestation.

Spring is in the air all over the USA this week! To celebrate the rain and the warmer temperatures, I am reposting this discussion of agro-forestry from last April on Spirit in Action’s blog.

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Our international partners working in Kenya have long recognized the value of agroecology. This type of farming system, also called bio-intensive agriculture, uses techniques that help to replenish the nutrients in the soil and uses minimal amounts of chemical fertilizers and other inputs to grow vegetables and fruits. Agroecology methods bring greater crop yields while using much less space, water and energy, than conventional, high input methods.

In Africa there is great hope for the widespread embrace of agroecology technologies, especially because it benefits “small farmers who must be able to farm in ways that are less expensive and more productive.”

“But, [agro-ecology] benefits all of us,” says a NY Times op-ed, quoting a UN Human Rights Council Report, “because it decelerates global warming and ecological destruction.”

The UN Report shows that “small-scale farmers can double food production within 10 years in critical regions by using ecological methods” including compost, double digging, and relying on beneficial plants, animals, and insects for pest management. Indeed, Olivier De Schutter, author of the UN report, said that “Malawi is now implementing agro-ecology, benefiting more than 1.3 million of the poorest people, with maize yields increasing from 1 ton/hectare to 2-3 tons/hectare.”

Samuel Teimuge talks to a group about agroforestry to combat deforestation in Kenya.

Samuel Teimuge, who worked with SIA to start his Ukweli Training Center many years ago, teaches bio-intensive methods and has seen how they can increase production while having a minimal affect on the environment. He also leads workshops to help reforestation efforts in the Rift Valley. Trees are important for slowing erosion on the steep slopes.

Mark Bittman from the NY Times urges us to consider agriculture from a global perspective, understanding food as a human right and sustainable agriculture as a high-priority for the world.

In addition to supporting bio-intensive agriculture training in Kenya, it is just as important to support small-scale farmers here in the US, like these young farmers in Oregon.

Do you use bio-intensive methods in your own garden or farm? Share your stories in the comments section!

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Related posts:

• How does your garden grow? (About the farms we saw in Malawi)
• Planting trees for a “greener Kenya” (About the reforestation work of SIA SBF Coordinator, Dennis Kiprop)

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Last year, Jacky Buhoro of the Democratic Republic of Congo told me, “As Christians, we are called to change by doing.” Where does this responsibility come from? I’m far from being a Bible scholar and so I love it when someone can make the stories come to life and inspire me to action. Recently, this inspiration came through Will Brown, a graduating student at Yale Divinity School, in a sermon about Jeremiah answering God’s call to serve others. In 6th grade, Will got his first pair of glasses. A small change and yet, to his great amazement, little Will could now see everything clearly: the leaves on the trees, and the chalkboard in the classroom!

But with the new ability to see clearly he also saw the rough spots, the stain on the floor. These are the places where the reality of what we see doesn’t match God’s reality for the world. As we begin to see how people in our neighborhood and overseas struggle to pay for education and to get a job to support themselves, we become responsible for reacting to make this different.

We know that God’s reality is not want and despair but rather prosperity and hope. Our world’s dark corners need our attention to bring them into God’s perfect peace and potential for the world. Spirit in Action was created to address those needs with compassion, love and action.

A Model of Compassion

One great model of compassion is Jacky Buhoro, who says, “It is my duty to help unable persons.” In her village near the DR Congo-Rwanda border, Jacky works with war widows to grow food in a community garden that was started with a SIA grant in 2007. “The community garden project for women helps us a lot to feed orphans. It serves as a demonstration site to help children understand the importance of gardens and the role of working together.”

Jacky sees the world with God’s clear vision – she sees both the vulnerable women and children without land and without access to education AND the opportunity to encourage each of them through action and compassion in the garden. With people like Jacky who are so hopeful for the “vulnerable people created in the image of God,” the least I can do is support her as she actively seeks God’s reality of peace here and now. I can see that much clearly!

Related Posts:

Interview with Jacky Buhoro: A Mother to Orphans in DRC

From Del’s Journal: There Must be a Sharp Focus on Compassion

People Helping People – about the book The Poor Philanthropist

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Photos from the latest round of Spirit in Action Small Business Fund groups are beginning to roll in! This month I have been receiving the Business Plans for small businesses started in May.

Here are just a few of the business groups in training and at work:
(Click on the photo to see a larger version.)

Woman in Rwanda selling Minnows.

Women in Democratic Republic of Congo making mats.

Small Business Fund training in Uganda.

Community Garden in Kenya

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Hello friends,

Here is an update from the Women’s Garden and Pigsty Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo from SIA Coordinator Jacob Lipandasi. This project received a grant from SIA last May:

At the end of the Pigsty Project in summary:
1. We know that 13 piglets were shared to continue the women pigsty project and owners are sharing with others 2. Two pigs were sold for $100 which paid scholar fees to 5 orphans for 4 months.
3. Others 35 orphaned children are supported at school they are receiving mushi twice a week from the women’s garden;
4. Compost: 240 kgs of compost and manure were produced and distributed to the owner small garden (kitchen garden). The compost and manure still be produced and will be used by the owners.

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(Click on picture to see larger version.)

Jeanne harvests vegetables from her garden.

SIA Small Business Fund Coordinators from DRC and Rwanda. Left to Right: Jacob Lipandasi, Benoit Malenge, Francois Hamuli

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Last week I received a package with many wonderful photos from Jacob Lipandasi, a SIA-Small Business Fund Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here are a few photos from the Women’s Garden Project! Our November newsletter will have another update on the project.

Enjoy!

Orphan Children eat “mushy” from ingredients grown in the garden.

SIA Grant recipients “Share the Gift” by giving seeds to new garden members to expand the project and the impact!

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