This is your chance to take that life-changing adventure, find your purpose in service, create life-long friendships, and see faith in a new, transformative way. ADRA Connections is ADRA's short-term volunteer program that takes you into the field to put compassion into action and make an impact for communities in need. No experience necessary!
"I never believed I could produce using organic fertilizers... it all seemed strange to me, but it's working..."
Amélia Francisco, in the Montepuez district
This is the story of Amélia Francisco, a 50-year-old farmer who lives in the community of Mocímboa da Praia, in the district of Montepuez, Cabo Delgado province. Amélia is a widow and mother of five. Her only source of income is subsistence farming and selling food products.
Since July 2023, Amelia has been part of one of the Rotating Savings and Credit (PCR) groups set up by ADRA in the Montepuez district, and also practices subsistence farming as one of her means of survival. As part of the Ukhaliherana project, she received maize and bean seeds, which she is producing in this dry season, and applies the new agricultural production techniques acquired at the school in Machamba do
ADRA's Peasant Movement (EMC).
Amélia points out that for the current agricultural campaign she has achieved fascinating results, and stresses that she has managed to store part of her harvest for consumption during the lean season, but has also used much of it to sell in order to buy soap and other basic necessities.
For Amélia, the practice of using chemical fertilizers was common in her fields, as a way of increasing soil fertility and boosting plant growth. So when ADRA arrived and taught her the practice of using organic fertilizers, everything seemed strange to her, but after applying the techniques, the results were surprising.
"At first I didn't believe that I could produce using only organic fertilizers and without having to spend money on buying pesticides and chemical fertilizers. For me, it seemed like it wouldn't work, but when ADRA came, I learned many techniques and my production is better than before, so I ask ADRA to continue teaching us"he noted.
This beneficiary tells us that before she joined the PCR groups, her business selling cookies was a failure and she couldn't make a profit. But since she started saving, her business has improved a lot and she now has a variety of food products for sale in her small stall.
"Before I joined the savings groups,
o My business was a failure, I couldn't see my profits. But since I joined the Savings and Revolving Credit groups that ADRA set up, my business has improved. I was able to enroll my children in school, buy them uniforms and school supplies and even save money for other purposes." he stressed.
Still within the scope of the PCR component,
Amelia explains that she has managed to save enough money to buy a freezer to store the food she sells in her small stall.
"I didn't think it was possible to save money, but I did it. I've made a lot of savings and managed to buy a freezer that helps me keep food in my stall" he concluded.
This is your chance to take that life-changing adventure, find your purpose in service, create life-long friendships, and see faith in a new, transformative way. ADRA Connections is ADRA's short-term volunteer program that takes you into the field to put compassion into action and make an impact for communities in need. No experience necessary!
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