Rachael lost her job when COVID hit. Thanks to your support, she took up farming.
Rachael used to work in a local market, selling vegetables. But when COVID-19 hit and the markets closed, she had to shut her small business down. “I was making far less money than my family was spending each day.”
She and her husband struggled to make ends meet and pay tuition for their three children. Rachael began cultivating a small plot of their land, using a nearby river to water the garden with a bucket.
“I initially got into farming to keep myself engaged and provide vegetables for my family. The bucket was just enough to water the small area of land I was cultivating.”
But then she went with her sister to a "farming field day" to learn about irrigation pumps. At the event, Rachael learned about "The Starter Pump," an affordable irrigation system offered by our local partner KickStart. She saw the potential right away and soon purchased her new pump from a local agri-dealer. KickStart's staff came to her house to train her on proper setup and usage.
In just five months, Rachael was growing and harvesting enough kale, spinach, and coriander to start her own business.
All of a sudden, neighbors were lining up for her high-quality vegetables. “I actually turn away traders from the market because I know my neighbors are waiting,” says Rachael.
She has increased the plot of her garden, but is still struggling to meet the demand for her produce. Rachael recently hired her neighbor to help in her field, giving her a good wage.
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