Pastors receive agriculture training

After so many of us joined with the Chalke Valley Churches as they worshipped on Advent Sunday with the South Sudanese refugees in Impevi Refugee Settlement, CRESS wanted to find a way of helping the pastors of the DOL (Diocese of Liwolo) increase their food supply. Last year the World Food Programme which distributes food to the refugee settlements had to reduce their supply by 30% leaving many hungry and malnourished. The pastors do so much to keep faith and hope within their communities and this is our way of giving back to them.

Julius, part of the Agricultural Team with the DOL, reported:

We trained Pastors and their spouse in Imvepi and Mijale on the best principles and practices of organic farming skills. The training was done for two days in each location.

Imvepi refugee settlement 31 were trained – 18 pastors and 13 spouses. In Mijale 27 pastors and 18 spouses were trained. Altogether 76 people received the training.

What the training was about and how they were equipped:

The training taught them:

1. Site selection and planning,
2. Formation of organic manure
3. Compost
4. Liquid
5. Formulating organic pesticides.
6. Types of vegetable beds, size and design
7. Stages of growing different types of vegetables. e.g., Leafy, root and fruit
8. Management practices of all types of vegetables.
9. Vegetable rotation.
10. Recordkeeping.

In the photo, you can see the pastors with their seeds and equipment ready to take back to their homes these were:

• Tools & equipment Watering cans, Jerrycans, Hoes, Pangas, Sisal ropes
• Assorted vegetable seeds Red creole onions, Carl J tomatoes, Sukumawiki, Spinach and Carrots

Rev. Besta Raponi

What the Pastors said…

We look forward to hearing how the training impacts their lives and their health over the coming months, but this is what two of the pastors had to say:

Rev. Besta Ropani said she has gained knowledge on formulating manure, pesticides and management practices. She also added that through the training, she would be able to provide the basic needs for her family.

Rev. Emmanuel Kenyi mentioned in his comments that through the training he can make vegetable beds according to the required designs and specifications. Design nursery beds and sow seeds and make a vegetable rotational plan.

Rev. Emmanuel Kenyi

Find out more about our Agricultural Training Projects.