SUSTAINABLE FARMING COOPERATIVES IN RURAL SIERRA LEONE

Initiative Description:

This initiative aims to provide 1-2 tractors (approx. $10,000 each) for farmer cooperatives which will give farmers in Sierra Leone the proper tools they need to farm and contribute to their economy. The rest of the money will go to simple $250 surgeries for farmers who have been injured on the job using hand plows and have sustained hernias which have made them unable to work or contribute. 4 H.I.M. has been doing work in Sierra Leone since 2004. In 2005, they partnered with Dr. Abdulai Daniel Sesay, who has performed 100 hernia repairs on farmers in this region. 4 H.I.M. is ready to put an end to the need for hernia surgeries by providing farmers the necessary tools to work and farm safely.

Initiative Anticipated Impact and Outcomes:

The eventual result of mechanizing the farming will be increased production, reduced incidents of hernias, and long-term increased income and commerce within each community.

Based on the fact that 4H.I.M. has been creating sustainable solutions through agribusiness and other types of businesses in Sierra Leone, Togo, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka since 1999, they are confident that they have all of the leadership and components in place. This initiative is a win-win-win. Suffering men and women will receive life-saving surgeries, productive farms will increase income for the farmers and create more commerce within the communities. Also, the surgeries prevent having more orphans and widows. The City Garden Clinic will have an income stream of $250 for each surgery. The farming cooperatives will have a tractor and be organized to improve all aspects of food production. In the long-term, Sierra Leone can avoid having to import food.

Initiative Sustainability Plan:

The sustainability of this initiative will be centered on the agricultural component. The focus will be on organizing and establishing the farming cooperatives. Each cooperative will be organized by geography, tribe, and local language groups. Each cooperative will receive a usable and mechanically sound tractor. Each farmer will pay a small fee to have their fields plowed. The money will be set aside for repairs and upkeep. After a few years, the hernias should be drastically reduced because of the mechanized farming.
The organization of the communities has already begun under the leadership of Pastor Nat and his network of leaders. The communities are already united because the surgeries touch so many families and extended families. The food production increases everyone’s income.

Total Funding Requested: $25,000

Funding Date Requirement: 3/1/2020

Summary and/or Supporting Documents:  None Submitted

Initiative Video or Related Links:  None Submitted

Nonprofit Name:4 H.I.M. (HIS HEALING HELPING HANDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES)

Nonprofit Website:  https://www.4-him.net/