When God called Noah to build an ark, most people around him probably thought he was crazy. The decision to build a boat so far from water seemed strange. But Noah had faith and he knew that God would provide. This same faith is what drives sustainable development in Zambia. Despite the challenges, Zambians continue to work towards a better future for themselves and their children. This struggling family knows that with hard work and determination, sustainable development in Zambia is possible.
It’s true, the decision that Mr. Round Mwewa of Mbabala Island faced wasn’t quite to the scale of Noah and the ark. Round’s unconventional approach, matched with Bright Hope’s support through the Christian Farmer’s Association, helped him to overcome a massive challenge.
Mr. Round and his wife have dedicated themselves for three years to vegetable farming, utilizing a drip irrigation system for farming. While they have put in the time and effort, the Mbabala Island’s poor soil and local chickens have made it difficult for them to do more than break even. While the lack of progress could have been a frustrating failure, Mr. Round and his wife chose to take a more sustainable approach.
“It has taken us time to improve our soils,” said Round. “It’s not about how poor your soils are. It’s about how much you are willing to invest into them.”
A Sustainable Investment
The easy decision was for Round to begin harvesting dead leaves and goat manure, which he would then rotate into his dry soil to create more fertile ground. The harder decision was to change directions on their strategy and begin growing something that the chickens could not destroy—bananas. This decision was a fairly poetic move, as many of the people on the island thought Round himself had gone bananas. Most people in his village told him that he was making a mistake, but he stayed true to his goal and is now seeing the benefits.
In 2021, Round started with 30 banana suckers which have, over time, turned into more than 250 banana plants. At the market, he can fetch approximately 40-50 Kwacha (between $2.48 – $3.10) per bundle of bananas, meaning he can turn his full-time attention to this project. “This is now my full-time job,” Round shared. “I’ve given up fishing; this will be my retirement project.”
More recently, Round has added more than 150 pineapples to his crop and has his eye on building a sustainable future. Because of the Christian Farmer’s Association and your support, Round has found financial stability for himself and his loved ones.
It’s not always easy to step out in faith and believe that the Lord will provide a harvest or that we will see success in our endeavors. But men like Round would encourage you to look at these opportunities with a faithful eye. Then, when we say “yes” to God and support the work that He is doing, we get to see great things happen!
Give Them Hope for Tomorrow
Our Hope for Tomorrow projects help the impoverished break free from the grip of poverty and live sustainable lives. With your support, we can provide sustainable development in Zambia, Uganda, and other developing countries. Join us and help transform the future!
