by Mark Lang
Almaz Santa has come a long way since drought in Ethiopia two years ago pushed her to the edge of survival.
Back then she would walk miles every day in a desperate search for firewood to sell to earn money to feed her children.
‘I used to cry out to God as I thought he had forgotten me,’ recalls the mother of six children aged between four and 15.
Thanks to supporters of Tearfund’s emergency appeal for East Africa, our partner the Wolaitta Kale Heywet Church brought Almaz back from the brink.
They enrolled her in a cash-for-work programme which provided vital income, enabling her to buy a goat and some seeds for new cassava, maize, beans and sorghum crops.
‘I was so very happy that I shed tears of joy. I never believed that my life could turn around and have some hope in it,’ she said. ‘I cannot tell you what this project did to my life.
‘I’m a completely changed person and I’m very thankful for everybody who put in effort to make sure we were assisted.’
Tearfund partners have been using a variety of ways to help people affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia, including teaching improved farming methods.
Alemayehu Anjulo has learnt about conservation farming which requires less tilling of the land and reduces the need for intensive labour as well as costs, such as for fertiliser.
He’s planted beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, maize and bananas on his farm and is expecting a good harvest.
‘The results have been tremendous,’ he says. ‘Many people now come to my farm to see what I’ve done and I’m always ready to help them so that the problems of food security in our area can be eradicated.’
Another way Tearfund has helped the drought-affected is by providing food directly to the most vulnerable, people like Chu’u Dheera, 60, and his six children.
The drought meant Chu’u’s cows, sheep and goats soon deteriorated due to the dwindling pasture and he was forced to sell some to buy food.
‘The help came just in the nick of time, and I thank God for it,’ he says of the food provided by WKHC.
During the three months that the food was being distributed, the situation improved enough for Chu’u to plant quick maturing vegetables and other crops that ensured his family had food even after the three months elapsed.
‘This year is promising to be a bit better. We’re very grateful for all the help we received. It was very important for me and brought a new lease of life.’
Tearfund’s work through WKHC is also looking to the long term, enabling Ethiopians to secure their own food futures.
Our partner is introducing farmers like Zano Dolato, 55, to a crop called arrowroot, known locally as taro, which is more drought resistant, doesn’t require a lot of water to mature and produces good harvests.
‘I’m happy that I’ve been given this improved variety of seed and I’m positive it will yield well,’ says Zano, who nearly lost everything when the rains failed. ‘I’m rebuilding my life, and thanks to this initiative, my life will be different.’
Selling surplus taro has enabled him to buy three cows and seven chickens which ensures his children get milk and eggs.
But he’s not the only one to benefit from this project, as each participating farmer has to give 50kgs of their harvest to another farmer so they can start growing taro, following training from WKHC. ‘I don’t have words enough to say thank you for the good work you have done for us,’ Zano says. ‘I pray God may help you have even more energy and resources to help others just as you have helped me.’
