Abigael’s story: the family facing up to a climate crisis

A mother living in fear

Abigael is a 35-year-old mother of five from Ouarkoye, Burkina Faso. She and her husband are farmers – an occupation that used to provide them with everything they needed.

Now, however, farming only brings them heartbreak. In recent years, the rains have become scarce, meaning Abigael can’t grow the food she needs to make an income and feed her young family.

‘When it does not rain and you have nothing to eat, what are you going to do?’ Abigael tells us. ‘How are you going to eat? How are you going to take care of children?’

Around 80 per cent of people in Burkina Faso rely on farming for food and income. Yet because of the changing climate, one in ten are now going hungry and need emergency help.

To make matters worse, one of Abigael’s children has a health issue that requires regular treatment. Treatment that they could no longer afford. Abigael had to pull him and some of her other children out of school to save money. ‘It scares me,’ Abigael shares. ‘Climate change is the source of our difficulties.’

Bringing people together

A project being run by Tearfund’s local partner, working alongside local churches, is offering real solutions to the very real problem of the changing climate.

The project brings community members together into farming cooperatives. These groups are given training in sustainable farming, along with the seeds and tools to grow crops that are more resistant to drought.

Since they joined the project Abigael and her husband have been able to feed their family and pay for their child’s treatment. Now, she has less fear about the future. ‘Peace is now present,’ Abigael says. ‘The sadness has left.’

Thousands of other people like Abigael are in desperate need. Projects like this make a real and lasting difference – but they’re only possible with the support of people like you. By getting involved in the Big Quiz Night, you’ll be empowering others like Abigael to provide for their families in the face of the climate crisis.

A gift of £18 could help someone like Abigael’s feed their family in a changing climate by providing tools, seeds and natural fertiliser.