Harvest Appeal

‘I became destitute, poor’

Jaman’s family have lived in the same community in Nepal for 120 years. Generations of his family have survived through raising buffalo or through other skilled work. But the climate crisis has changed weather patterns – long periods of drought are now common and with them comes hunger, as crops wither and livestock die.

‘It doesn’t rain when it should,’ shares Jaman. ‘Sometimes there is drought... Because of this, everyone is suffering.’

More and more men are being forced to move away to find work and are sending back what little money they can. Families are being torn apart and the once-thriving community has perished.

Jaman struggled for years to protect his family from poverty and encroaching hunger. But his business failed and, as the climate became harsher with longer droughts, his crops dwindled too.

‘I became destitute, poor… Amidst that I felt lost. I found no way forward,’ says Jaman.

Growing hope

‘...I thought of doing vegetable farming – I hoped that starting small would bring me success,’ shares Jaman. ‘But, I didn’t have much prior experience.’

The crops Jaman planted soon withered due to the drought. There was no one he could get advice from about how to farm in this changing climate – his neighbours were also struggling.

But through our local partner in Nepal, Tearfund has been able to reach people like Jaman with the support they need to flourish. Training groups are being set up so that people can be equipped with the skills they sorely need to adapt to the changing climate, as well as find community again. They are also given seeds and tools to enable them to start their own businesses.

Jaman’s village is back on track to be restored to a place where everyone can thrive. Not only can they start to eat well and sell their produce to buy food for a more nutritious diet, they can also use the money for children to go to school.

Jaman’s story is one of many. As the effects of the climate crisis worsen, hope is drying up. Around the world, hunger is making families shrink back from their dreams. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Poverty is not God's plan. You are. This Harvest, give the freedom to grow and help families around the world, like Jaman’s, reach their full potential.