The Harvest Fund’s mission is to empower small-scale female farmers and equip them with the tools necessary for survival without aid. As part of our continued effort to show support for our farmers, we want to shine a spotlight on the journey of one woman who truly embodies the leadership, resilience, and enthusiasm inherent in becoming a successful small-scale farmer.
Meet Salome.
Salome Phiri, a 39-year-old woman from Kawaza village in Katete District, is the epitome of strength, resilience, and hope. Born into a family of seven children, of which five survived, Salome’s life was marked by hardship and adversity from an early age. Tragedy struck when she was just ten years old as she lost both her parents in a sudden accident, a life-altering event that would forever shape her future.
Salome’s life was marked by hardship and adversity from an early age.
At the age of 21, Salome moved to Lusaka, where she started her own family. She had five children with her husband, and life was good. However, fate dealt her another blow when her husband passed away in an accident, leaving her alone to raise their children. The family fell into financial hardship, and just like her own childhood, her children were also unable to attend school.
To survive and provide for her family, Salome turned to piece work, a form of hired labor where one performs various tasks, such as cleaning, weeding, and cooking, for payment. Life was tough, but Salome was tougher.
In her search for ways to improve her circumstances, Salome joined a cooperative. She believed that by working together with others, they could collectively make their lives better. It was around this time that Salome got introduced to our programming at The Harvest Fund.
She believed that by working together with others, they could collectively make their lives better.
As an organization dedicated to empowering and supporting small-scale farmers, our services proved to be a game-changer for Salome. Through our programs, Salome was able to afford school uniforms and jerseys for her children, enabling them to attend school.
We go beyond providing financial assistance. We listen, we care, and we act. We address various challenges faced by farmers like Salome, such as irrigation issues, the need for wire fencing, and the provision of pesticides. It's a journey of growth that requires hard work, something Salome was no stranger to.
It's a journey of growth that requires hard work, something Salome was no stranger to.
Salome eagerly looks forward to our trainings, particularly those focused on value addition. This concept involves processing crops into products that can fetch higher prices in urban markets, such as turning corn into popcorn or tomatoes into tomato powder. Salome sees the potential in this approach to improve her income and is keen to apply it to her own crops of maize, peanuts, and soy.
Through her partnership with The Harvest Fund, Salome continues to write a new chapter in her life, one that is filled with hope, growth, and prosperity.
Salome’s story is one of triumph over adversity. It is a testament to how determination, coupled with the right support, can turn lives around. Through her partnership with us, Salome continues to write a new chapter in her life, one that is filled with hope, growth, and prosperity. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many others in similar situations, showing that it's possible to rise above life's challenges and build a brighter future.
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