From refugee to community hero

Aminadab lives about four hours' drive from Kampala, with his wife and six children. He is a peer farmer; leading a self-help group called Kyeibare Thermo Compost group whose 30 members are all taking part in the Agricultural and Market Support (AMS) project.

Focusing on women, young people and refugees, the project aims to support 3,000 families to create sustainable agri-businesses to achieve food and income security. WFP gives out food packages to refugees, solving their immediate hunger, but this project helps people to become self-sufficient: breaking the cycle of dependency.

After fleeing the Civil War in Burundi in 2017, Aminadab and his wife survived by doing cheap labor for food. Since resources were limited, Aminadab’s first daughter dropped out of school at just 13 years old.

In 2020, Aminadab and his self-help group were trained in sustainable farming methods by Ripple Effect. Aminadab learned to grow quality seeds, how to harvest effectively and most importantly, how to handle his precious produce post-harvest so that every bit was saved.

Using the skills he gained, plus an acre of land allocated to him, he purchased a goat and planted elephant grass to use as animal feed, selling the surplus for cash.

At first, Aminadab was dependent on food rations from the WFP for his family to survive.

After learning sustainable farming techniques from Ripple Effect, he began growing vegetables and maize in his garden. His family was able to eat nutritious and filling meals, vital for health and happiness. He was also trained as a peer farmer.

From planting two kilograms of Masindi maize, Aminadab harvested two tonnes; all from just one acre of land. Applying home-made compost on his farm improved soil fertility and increased crop production.

Now, Aminadab is a producer of food who is an integral member of the community. Barely a year after the training, Aminadab and his group were able to gather six tonnes of maize which they sold at a good price.

Using his savings, he bought a shop which he rents as a cereal bulking store to make additional income.

Deogratius, a member of the self-help group, describes him as careful, hardworking and trustworthy. 

“His shop has brought services closer to us. We trust him by bulking our cereals here. You know, if you have land, you have wealth; but trust is worth the value of land.”

Aminadab has an ambitious dream to grow his income, educate his children and get them started with their own businesses. He has applied to the bank for a license as he wishes to start to start an electronic Cash Transfer System for his community to make cashless payments and transfers.

He recalls: “I started my shop with $220, now I’m slowly and steadily growing this capital and acquiring more assets. I’m able to provide for my family and pay school fees for the children…all because of Ripple Effect.”

Aminadab has climbed a mountain: from refugee, to peer farmer, to earning trust as a community hero.