Difficult Decisions

Since our arrival, we have focused our efforts on identifying the severity of the food shortage in this region. We pursued available government information, conducted a needs assessment survey, convened focus group discussions, and held detailed discussions with the partner and World Renew development staff.  This past week we received the results of the needs assessment survey and it substantiated much of what we have seen and heard. 

The assessment of needs and any proposed response must always be done with the knowledge that there are financial constraints on the resources that are available for any project.  There are critical needs in numerous places around the world – Syria and Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Having limited funds means that organizations such as World Renew need to make difficult choices about where they can offer assistance.

In the final analysis, World Renew in Canada, in consultation with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, had to make the difficult and agonizing decision that, due to very pressing needs in other areas of the world, they would not be able to fund the project here in Niger.   We totally understand and fully endorse that decision, painful and difficult as it is for the people here. It is a responsible use of the donations made by World Renew’s supporters.

All of our assignments have presented us with a unique learning curve. Along with reinforcing the need for patience and flexibility, we have learned much in Niger by asking questions as we travelled across the region. As we spent time in meetings with our hosts from World Renew Niger and with some of the partner staff, we learned about many of the development projects that World Renew Niger has done with the local partner.  We saw zai holes, diguettes, and demi-lunes and learned about other agricultural practices that help to enrich the soil. We were introduced to local enterprises that people have created to help them provide for their family even in the midst of harvest shortages. We learned about a variety of coping strategies people use to get through tough times: collecting leaves to eat and sell, selling garden produce to buy millet (their main staple), borrowing money, selling off many of their animals, or abandoning the work on their own land and hiring themselves out for labour.

We were pleased to receive an invitation to take part in an annual sharing day attended by 75 people from 36 villages. All of those who attended had been in some way impacted by the development work done by the partner of World Renew Niger. The day began with a “lecture”, the theme of which was reinforced by a lively skit. The lecture and skit reminded people that just because it is not the season for planting or harvesting, it is not a time to relax and stop working hard to support their families. After this, the large group divided into twelve smaller discussion groups.  Each group discussed ideas of work they should do in the intervening months of the year. As an aside, most of the people in Niger are subsistence farmers relying on what they grow to feed their very large families. The land is infertile, and droughts are frequent, so it is essential to work diligently on improving the quality of the soil, thereby increasing the chances for a better harvest next year. In addition, it is important to have other ways of generating income to supplement their harvests.

To present their ideas of year-round work, many groups drew pictures to depict the suggested actions. Remember most of these farmers are illiterate, and furthermore there were four languages groups in attendance. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Part of the appeal of sharing community successes was to have a “fair” displaying what farmers harvest, a sample of the products they make, and even a “best in goats” section. All of those in attendance made the rounds and examined the inputs. Prizes were awarded.

Upon conclusion of this assignment, we head home a few days earlier, just barely missing out on the ice storm many of you have been dealing with! Thank you for your support and prayers in this experience where we learned to lean on God for guidance each step of the way and accept and understand that we are not in control – not a bad lesson to learn!

We continue to solicit your prayer support for World Renew staff in Niger, its partner organization, and the people in the communities they serve.