By Joanna Brownbill, Director of Communications and Marketing for Ripple Effect
Driving along remote tracks in the Kyotera district of south-western Uganda, I was set a challenge by the regional Extension worker Agnes. As we passed, could I spot those families who were ‘direct project participants’?
Direct project participants is the term we use for families who are receiving training from Ripple Effect staff. Although impersonal in its name, it is important for us to track the number of direct project participants so that we can effectively evaluate our reach and our impact.
At first, the challenge was easy. Even within a few short seconds, I could see those who had clearly mapped out their vegetables gardens, and were using raised beds and intercropping; their vegetables were larger and lusher. Any animals would be in a well-built shelter. There would be a system for collecting rainwater from the roof, and Tip Taps dotted around the farm.
Soon, I pointed to another house with conviction. Again, the vegetable gardens were organised and bountiful. The compound was clean and the family were harvesting vegetables to eat and sell.
We stopped at this house and met Sylvia. To my surprise, she is not a direct project participant – she hasn’t received any support from Ripple Effect. But she has seen her neighbour’s garden, and has been inspired by what they had achieved. This is the ripple effect. Time and time again, I would see examples of how our direct project participants shared what they had learnt with their neighbours who then began to try those techniques themselves. The world over, farmers learn from farmers.
A mile or so away I met William – a direct participant. As he stood in the middle of his thriving maize field, he said that people travel from far and wide to ask him about what he has done: how are his crops so healthy? He feels proud and empowered to be able to teach them.
This is why Ripple Effect is special. We work intensively with a group of farmers over a number of years. But the effects quickly spread. Knowledge and skills are passed on and on. Together, we will build a confident, thriving and sustainable rural Africa.
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