Welcome to 2024
Does a new year motivate you to ponder and evaluate? We have many new projects to ponder as we welcome 2024, and we also rejoice in continuing programs that we know to be necessary and fruitful.
The Continuing Agogo Project
I guess that for most of us, a lack of food is not a problem. Not so for most Malawians. Hunger season, the period between one harvest being consumed and the next still growing is upon them. Our communities are benefiting from wiser planting and systems, but our Senior population is still the hardest hit. We are once again providing bi-weekly food supplies for about 240 Agogos, enabling them to come to Mitongwe to receive maize. It is a joyous time, essential and rewarding.
We greet them with maize to take home and meet together for worship time as well. They know we are invested in their well-being. We rejoice together.
The Continuing Young Warriors Sessions
The Young Warriors has been bursting at the seams with energy and children. Our 4 leaders, James, Yohane, Lameck and Ruth find lessons and activities that are fun rain or shine, with happy children as evidence. There have been up to 175 children eagerly learning, playing and benefiting from a healthy lunch each Saturday and Sunday.
The Continuing Training in Agroforestry
To have the weather drastically affect your livelihood is felt deeply in Malawi. Crops have gone in, there were rains, and now there is drought. To replant is too expensive, and to buy fertilizer is too expensive. These hardships are sadly the result of decades of poor farming advice and decisions. At Mitongwe Farm our food system farming and our natural methods that support and protect each other are producing abundantly. This is what we train. This is why we train. This is the future for our communities.
Continuing Health Magic
Have you ever tasted the rare fruit guarded by a scaly, emerald dragon? No, we're not talking myth! Forget fantastical beasts, the real dragon fruit magic is bursting right here in Malawi, at Mitongwe Woodland Reserve.
While it may look like a cross between a magenta kiwi and a neon cactus, the dragon fruit holds the secrets of ancient South America, now thriving under the warm Malawian sun.
We believe in nurturing not just plants, but a healthier future. Growing dragon fruit is about offering a sustainable, nutrient-rich option for our community and beyond. It's about proving that even in the heart of Africa, a bit of dragon magic can take root and flourish.
The Continuing Dehydration Project
If you could test the quality of our dehydrated turmeric or chili powder you would be more than impressed.
You would be more than impressed if you could see the work it takes to get from plant to powder. It is top quality and labour-intensive. But we do it, and it’s amazing.
A New Program to Educate
Titani is a young woman who dreams of going to University. She came to us and asked if there was anything she could do at the farm. With her great English skills, she was encouraged to start a Reading Club for the school children. She set a time, put up posters, and now has a faithful group who come after school. She reads to them, they learn new words, learn to spell, have fun and allow her to start saving for future schooling. We're excited for you Titani.
A New Demonstration Project
New Year - New Project. Mitongwe Farm has developed a thriving Agroforestry System, and now we have the opportunity to establish Demonstration Plots in the surrounding communities. A grant from Holland will pay local trainees to set up these plots and provide quality seeds from Mitongwe's seed bank, in their villages. This is such a win-win situation! Enjoy a few photos and we will continue to introduce you to Duncan and Ben and all that they are doing
