Earlier this month the Dufatanye Organization employees and volunteers woke up at sunrise with a (tired) smile on their faces. It was time for Umuganda (community work), which occurred early every Tuesday morning, where organization members joined with the surrounding community to work on a development project.
For this day’s Umuganda, Muhimpundu Claudine’s home was the working site. Muhimpundu is 62 years old, lives in Nyamagana, a Village of Hope, and because of her age was struggling to advance her farm. So, during Umuganda, 20 mango trees and 15 banana trees were planted on her land. Afterwards, Muhimpundu said, “At my age, being able to receive fruit trees is a great blessing.” She further explained the trees’ impact, saying that “In everyday life, you can take bananas to the market and get what you need; you can also sell fruit and get what you need while your family benefits from the nutrients.” Through the Village of Hope project Muhimpundu now has access to valuable support for both her farm and general livelihood.
To prepare the land for planting, old crops were uprooted and holes were dug for new trees to be planted. Only two hands, a hoe, and some hard work were needed, but hand callouses helped too. Once the trees were planted and the soil was leveled, new volunteers at Dufatanye had the opportunity to name the trees they planted (something you can do when visiting!).
These banana and mango trees will not only provide delicious and nutritious food in only two years for Muhimpundu and her family, but twice each year after that for many years to come. Also, intercropping (planting in between rows of mango trees) beans and other healthy vegetables contributes nutrients to the soil and supplies a diverse, balanced diet.
Mango and banana trees’ other benefits include a source of income, needed shade for intercropping, preventing soil erosion, carbon sequestration, and much more. At Dufatanye, organic climate-smart agriculture is not only a motto, it is a fundamental way of life.
Other parts of Nyamagana have already planted these trees and witnessed the positive impacts on their lives from the Village of Hope project. Muhimpundu is already inspired, adding that “This activity has made me so happy because I was told to eat fruits, but I had been unable to plant them myself. Now you have given me strength, and I will keep it up.” With a new source of income, coupled with personal finance training from Dufatanye, villagers are moving away from a life of poverty towards a life of self-sustained success.