When one’s basic needs are not easily met, it can create a cycle that seems impossible to escape. Healing Hands International seeks to provide a way of escape from the endless cycle. By teaching and equipping the members of a community, we can empower them to be self-sufficient and focus their attention elsewhere.
The goal of the Hunger to Harvest agricultural program is to provide life changing equipment and hands-on training in simple farming techniques. Many skills such as transplanting, irrigation, and the use of drip kits were taught to 43 members (31 women and 12 men) of the Zuweni community in Zimbabwe. Much of the agriculture in the Zuweni community was limited due to their location in an extreme drought. HHI’s previous work within the community drilling a water well paved the way for the life-changing training that was done.
Maita Mabasa, a 69 year old woman, told our team that, “since she moved to Zuweni after she got married, no effort such as this has been attempted.” This training will create a new air of independence and freedom in the village. Their gardening attempts were previously met with very little success. The training made possible by the HHI team highlighted practices that will increase their fruits from their new gardens.
This transforming experience left a lasting impact on its participants. The certification empowers the community to be self-sufficient when it comes to providing their home grown produce. There are many more opportunities for partnership between our team and the community.