UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF IMPLEMENTS

S A & D PROGRAM IN KASUNGAMI, DRC
 

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER      DECEMBER 4, 2012
 

Child Action Initiative (CAI) was founded in 2006 by (Isaiah) Esaie Njimbu Chot. This mission serves through Nazareth United Methodist church (NUMC), in Kasungami, DRC in the South Katanga-Zambia Conference meeting the many needs of the 40,000 plus residents of Kasungami. These needs have been met by developing an on-going education program for HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children, drilling wells to increase the supply of potable drinking water,improving medical treatment, reconstruction of NUMC and construction of a new parsonage. Malnutrition and lack of an adequate food supply continues to be a major issue in this community.

 

Isaiah provided a report on the SA&D program summarizing the following:

 

October, 2011 a needs assessment was conducted by Ms. June Kim, Ms. Judith Santiago and Mr. Mozart Adevu with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to determine the need for the Sustainable Agriculture & Development (SA&D) program.

 

More than 200 people from eight communities attended a meeting to discuss food, nutrition and malnutrition problems. A host of problems were revealed such as: people are eating one meal a day; they do not grow a variety of foods or raise livestock; farming techniques must be improved.

The SA&D program is an initiative of the Hunger and Poverty Program office of UMCOR. Over the past eight years this program has operated with demonstrated success in five African countries - Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, DRC, and Mozambique.

 

Providing information through training is more useful and valuable in the long term than only providing money and materials. Knowledge cannot be destroyed by war, stolen or otherwise separated from the person. SA&D's priority is providing training, skills and information. The training and related activities are farmer centered and field based.
 

The SA&D program works in partnership with local churches and community organizations such as CAI with the goal to provide improvements in the standards of living in Kasungami, ensure food security, improve health and nutrition and reduce economic dependency for self sustain-ability.

Early 2012, implementation of the SA&D program began under the direction of trainers Mr. Tshinish and Ms. Nday from North Katanga Province, DRC, as follows:
 

Overall, 80 farmers from Kasungami communities and groups attended the trainings on production and utilization of soybeans and the Moringa tree. Information on the Moringa known as the tree of life provides protein and vitamins. This includes use of the leaves, flowers and roots as food and natural medicine. Soybeans were discussed as a source of protein including how to make soy milk, soy flour, prepare the beans plus recipes.
 

Interviews with people in Kamina, North Katanga Province, who have made Moringa a regular part of their diets pointed out that their health has improved. Those who have made selling Moringa products as part of their business have increased family incomes. Successful treatment of malnourished children with Moringa products have been well documented.
 

Five hundred Moringa trees have been planted in Kasungami. Moringa seeds and 600 poly bags have been distributed to enable people to establish Moringa tree nurseries and transplant the seedlings. Most of the trainees are involved in the extension of planting Moringa trees to help other families who have expressed the need. They are interested in making Moringa and soybean accessible for malnourished and community members who are obliged to purchase expensive nutritious foods.
 

Other topics taught: Integrated crop and pest management, restoring depleted soils as well as the judicious use of agrochemicals and the use of locally available alternative pesticides.

People are now excited to start training other community members and organizing sub-groups to develop Moringa and soybean programs in their respective villages and communities.
 

The next step is to incorporate the bee keeping program. The area is favorable with trees and other conditions for this activity.
 

The UMCOR Sustainable Agriculture & Development program provides hope for the future.

We are grateful to June Kim, Judith Santiago, Mozaret Adevu, Mr. Tshinish & Ms. Nday for their dedication to the SA&D program.
 

We wish to thank Edenton Street UMC, Raleigh, NC and Oak Ridge UMC, Oak Ridge, NC for their financial support to enable the implementation of the SA&D program.
 

If any churches or individuals wish to donate to the Kasungami SA&D program they may do so by sending their donations to Advance No.: 982188. Click on: DONATE NOW next to the Child Action Initiative Newsletter. Page 2, type in Advance No.: 982188. This procedure will take you to the Sustainable Agriculture & Development website.

Thank you for your continued interest in Child Action Initiative.

Blessings,
Bev & Ed Wentz

Beverly A. & Edward L. Wentz, Jr.
U.S. (UMVIM) Coordinators/Advocates for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
Oak Ridge, NC
North Piedmont District
Western North Carolina United Methodist Church Conference

　

　

Isaiah transplants a moringa seedling.

 

 

　

Villagers planting Moringa trees.