An interesting update from one of our Project Grant recipient, Kossoye Development Program: “Five years ago Aseffa, a 75-year old farmer, struggled to raise enough food for his family on his 1.5-acre plot of land. His children had moved away. Only his 13-year old grandson, Feleke, then a 6th grader, lived at home. Aseffa was surprised one day when Feleke came home asking for help in starting a family garden. He had received vegetable seeds and instruction in gardening at school. Within a few weeks there was more chard growing than the family could eat, so they sold the surplus in the local market. Then three years ago a neighbor told him about an opportunity to sell chard and carrot seeds. The seeds they grew over the next year earned them $500 dollars. They opened a bank account, bought an ox and four sheep, and started building a “modern house” with a corrugated iron roof. In 2015 the carrot seed crop made a profit of $900. The Ministry of Agriculture, in recognition of the family’s seed-producing prowess, awarded them a hand-operated water pump.” It is amazing how a little bit of seeds can change lives.
Blog #67: Kossoye Development Program
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