The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Project has benefitted more than 152,000 people, increasing food production and access to credit, agricultural knowledge and gender equality while enhancing food security for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal.
In March 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy caused unprecedented destruction across Malawi, becoming one of the most devastating cyclones on record. The cyclone destroyed Margret Kholowa’s crops, but despite the adversity, Margret utilized the resources provided by CDF Canada to replant her farm.
In March 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy devastated Malawi, leaving a trail of destruction across the country. For Cecilia Thambo, she lost her crops and her home to the cyclone. Thanks to CDF Canada’s timely intervention, Cecilia’s prospects began to change as she received seeds and fertilizers, allowing her to replant and harvest 150 kilograms of maize, which provided food for her household for three months.
“Harvesting beehives used to be men’s work,” said Josephine Mutambuki, Secretary of the Kibewzi Honey Co-operative. “But now, even the women can harvest.” They walk through the forest in Makueni County to access both traditional and contemporary beehives, harvesting honey and wax, using their earnings to cover essential expenses like school fees.
Gilbert and his wife, Christine, participated in Gender Model Family training. This transformative experience encouraged them to reassess and reshape the traditional gender roles within their family as they share duties more equitably, creating a harmonious and collaborative household.
Ann and Henry became one of 20 families in Kenya to undergo GMF training, which aims to address disparities in power dynamics and decision-making related to household resources. By challenging conventional gender roles and responsibilities, the training empowers couples and their children to become exemplars of progressive gender dynamics.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Project has been at the forefront of advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across various sectors, focusing on women’s leadership through the Rural Commercial Women’s Groups and Gender Model Families. These initiatives have profoundly impacted gender norms and community development.
Over the past five years, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Project has achieved remarkable success in uplifting rural communities’ socio-economic status by strengthening co-operatives through the Rural Commercial Women Groups and Village Savings and Loan Associations, which have significantly improved market linkages, access to financial resources, and smallholder farmers’ productivity.
Janepher Otieno's volunteer journey in Malawi is a tale woven with challenges and victories. She also navigated through a whirlwind of emotions and complexities as it would be the first time she would leave her children for this long. But, she took it as a divine sign to step forward with confidence and enthusiasm, embracing the unknown.