With 80 per cent of the Rwandan population still relying on agriculture, more efforts are needed to invest, sustain and develop better farming. This week, pray for small-scale farmers as they learn new agricultural techniques to feed their families and increase their income.
Sunday 14 September
‘The Kungahara project has successfully improved food security for 5,000 households in the Nyaruguru district, particularly benefitting women smallholder farmers by increasing food production, availability, affordability, and access to safe, healthy food,’ says John Bucyana, Kungahara Project Manager. Pray that the success of this project will reduce cases of malnutrition and help families to consistently have enough food.
Monday 15 September
Dorothee and her husband used to struggle to make ends meet. They grew crops to sell at the local market, but it didn’t bring in enough money for food, clothing and education. Pray for the many struggling rural families in Rwanda, that their harvests would be plentiful.
Tuesday 16 September
Life is different now for Dorothee. She is one of 30,000 small-scale farmers participating in Tearfund’s horticulture project, receiving training to cultivate high-value crops. Give thanks for the many farmers who can now sell crops and earn enough to support their families.
Wednesday 17 September
Jean lives in eastern Rwanda. He finished high school and dreamt of going to university, but couldn’t afford it. Instead, he turned to farming, working a small area of land that never really earned much. Pray that there would be opportunities to continue education for other young people like Jean.
Thursday 18 September
Jean took part in Tearfund’s horticultural project, where he learnt how to start a successful business producing chilli oil. ‘This project has changed my life,’ he says. ‘I thank God for how he paves a way where there is no way! I save money every month and can pay for myself to go to university.’ Pray that Jean’s business will continue to thrive.
Friday 19 September
Unpredictable weather, limited market access, poor agricultural practices and lack of money are issues that hinder farmers’ success. The Rwandan government has developed a digital platform that connects farmers to local traders, giving them better access to markets. Pray for the Tearfund team as they work to make the platform more accessible and appropriate to the needs of smallholder farmers.
Saturday 20 September
Tearfund ambassador, Karen Gibson MBE, visited Rwanda last year to see how the local church is helping whole communities to lift themselves out of poverty. In the Ndera sector in Kigali city, she met a local farmer, Gras. ‘Before joining his self-help group, Gras struggled to pay rent,’ Karen says. ‘Through his self-help group, he was able to invest in tomato growing. He and his three children now have a healthy diet.’ Praise God for this transformation!
