does africa know a song of me?

Well, it’s probably about time that I tell you about what I’m actually here to do. I am working in the Soils, Food, and Healthy Communities, which is part of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian’s Ekwendeni Hospital. The project has two specific aims – to increase soil fertility and to improve nutrition in the Ekwendeni area. It does this through the introduction of various legumes like pigeon peas, ground nuts (peanuts, to Canadians) and velvet beans to the local agricultural scene. During the past few days, I have been able to go into the field and see some of the fields of farmers who have gained from this project. While I am no agricultural expert, it is very cool to see how proud the farmers are of what they have accomplished. Their families are eating more nutritious food (not just nsima), they have food to sell at markets, and they don’t need to purchase fertilizer in order to produce a good crop. It is amazing to see true development at the grassroots level!