Ripple Effect's BBC Radio 4 Appeal

Name: Ripple Effect
Price range: $

We were delighted to get one of the coveted weekly BBC Radio 4 Appeal slots just before Christmas.

It's an amazing opportunity to tell listeners about Ripple Effect’s transformative work across eastern and southern Africa with farmers like Bekelech, who works tirelessly on her land to provide for her children in the face of the worsening climate crisis.

Our appeal is hosted by gardening broadcaster and TV presenter Toby Buckland, who we are lucky to have as a very committed patron. He’s visited our projects in the region of southern Ethiopian near to where Bekelech lives, and speaks passionately about our work.

If you're inspired to contribute, and your gift is amongst the first £25,000 received, it will be doubled by a generous donor's match-funding - and THAT'S the kind of effect that turns a ripple into a wave.

Listen to the appeal

By donating, you'll be supporting communities like Bekelech's

Like many remote rural areas of eastern Africa, the region where Bekelech lives in southern Ethiopia is dramatically affected by climate change. Delayed rains prevent crops being planted, and flooding washes away valuable topsoil.

Despite Bekelech working long hours on her family’s plot of land, and earning a little money labouring for neighbours, her two little boys have known what it’s like to be hungry and malnourished – for months at a time.

“The climate crisis is impacting our land. One year, there was such a big flood that it bought material down from the steep slopes behind our house onto our land and destroyed our coffee and crops. All we could do was replant everything and start again.”

Bekelech, Ethiopia

Ripple Effect’s trainers work with women smallholder farmers like Bekelech who are traditionally responsible for providing their family’s food. Bekelech's husband Danelo has a long-term health condition which means he hasn't been able to do agricultural work for long periods.

Sustainable, climate-smart growing techniques, such as making rich, natural compost to improve their soil, and using climate-resilient seed varieties, enable farmers to grow nutritious vegetables despite the immense challenges they face.

Your generosity goes far

Ripple Effect’s work reaches 1.38 million people in 6 countries. For every farmer we train directly we know that another 3 will benefit, through Pass-On gifts of skills, seeds and livestock.

And here’s a great reason to give now: a longstanding supporter of Ripple Effect has generously committed to match the first £25,000 donated to this appeal, pound-for-pound. THAT'S a powerful ripple effect.

Here's how your donation of any size today could help support mothers like Bekelech with the life-changing trees training, tools, seeds and trees to stop extreme weather like flooding from destroying their crops:

Resilient seeds boosting nutrition Hungry families rely on starchy crops that take the edge off hunger but don’t provide enough nutrition to stay healthy. Introducing climate-resilient seed varieties of cabbages, carrots, tomatoes, Swiss chard and beetroot give families the best chance to survive – and thrive.

Life-changing trees Trees planted on slopes help to anchor soil and prevent flooding. They can also provide nutritious food, and valuable shade for other crops. Families like Bekelech’s learn how to plant different types of indigenous trees, including avocados, and Cordia Africana.

Healthy soils for healthy children Bekelech and other farmers in her community are learning about making their own rich, natural compost – for free. Compost improves soil structure so it can retain moisture, and the added nitrogen and potassium increases crop yields.p yields.

We know that when the land thrives, so do the people who rely on it. Healthy soils, supported by the right trees in the right place, result in higher yields and a greater variety of crops for families to eat and sell.

Thank you for making brighter futures possible for farmers like Bekelech through the BBC Radio 4 Appeal.

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