A Widow's Might

by Eli Toribio (The Zambia)

In Zambia, 68% of the population lives below the poverty line in predominantly in rural areas. More than 22% of Zambia’s 11 million people live in female headed households. These households are disproportionately poor. Widows are among the most vulnerable poor in this country. Amidst this, one day I met Amayi (woman) Agatha Makasa, a widow who is an incredible example of life transformed, sustained, and abundantly blessed by our Lord Jesus. A mother of eight children and grandmother, Amayi Agatha is in her sixties and looks younger than her age. She has been a widow for more than five years. Despite her loss, her community considers Amayi Agatha a hard working farmer, serious learner, entrepreneur, brick maker, and role model

Amayi Agatha has been an active member of the Maposa Farmers Group, Ndola Rural, Copperbelt, Zambia for three years now. This group of 100 farmers is assisted by RCZ- Diaconia Department Western Region (RCZ-DD), a CRWRC partner. RCZ-DD helps Maposa Farmers Group with food security by providing training in farming skills that focuses on conservation farming, crops diversification, inter-cropping, and agriculture marketing. The farmers are also receiving certified maize seeds for the first and second years.
Like a young pupil, Amayi Agatha absorbed all this new learning and immediately applied it. When I visited her farm three weeks ago, I saw that her newfound learning was put to good use. Healthy, bountiful crops of maize, peanuts, and beans warmly greeted us. Amayi Agatha is now able to send her school-aged children and grandchildren to school. She even bought a bicycle, the main mode of transportation in rural Zambia. To top it all, she was able to build a modest brick house from the proceeds of her crop!

Not only is Amayi Agatha’s life an amazing example, her self esteem also has been enhanced by the program. When we spoke with her, she smiled and responded to our questions with confidence. Her thankful attitude to God was so contagious, overshadowing others’ complaints of lack or of having nothing. Indeed, she has been acknowledged not only by the farmers group but by the whole village as a role model to emulate. When asked about her hope for the future, Amayi Agatha responded, “I hope that I could continue to teach other widows like me about the farming I am doing right now. Lord willing, in the future, I want to be a commercial farmer.”

Everyone Can Embrace HIV and AIDS

by Amy Thompson (Kenya)

This is from a special friend of mine. She is a bright and loving young girl who shares her love openly, even with her 3-year-old brother.

“I tried to raise money for Embrace Aids to help children who are orphans because of AIDS. I made a little store for my mom, dad and brother from boxes and blankets. I put stickers and rubber bands and coupons in it to sell. I made the coupons like ‘I will play with Gerrit’ ‘I will clear the dish rack’ ‘I will clean my room’ or ‘I’ll do whatever you want’. I let them choose what price they wanted to pay.”

I am so excited! Not only are there so many 20-30-somethings interested in the social justice issues surrounding HIV and AIDS that we created a special website for them, but here is a clear example of children (my friend is in elementary school) reaching out to serve God by helping others. Can you stand it!

Talk about humbling. I can just see my friend now and can’t wait to hear all about it when I see her in June. Thank you!

If you would like more information on how you can get involved there are several places to look, including here on my own blog (scroll down and search HIV or AIDS to see all of my entries discussing this topic). We, meaning CRWRC, do have a website to start you off that will even lead you to our special Facebook site, won’t you be my friend?

Rebuilding a Community in Bicol

by Andrew VanStee (the Philippines)


















Three years ago, Typhoon Reming destroyed a thriving community with mudslides. Thousands were displaced and almost nothing of the old community can be found.

But this tale of devastation is not the end of the story. Through the work of one of our partners here in the Philippines, the community is rebuilding. In the wake of the disaster, Operation Compassion came and began working with members of the community. They helped people placed together in a government shelter create a community. They had them make decisions together and create a vision of life together. They taught leadership and encouraged creativity.

Other organizations hurried to place people in new housing, but Operation Compassion took the time to work with the community to design housing; implementation of the program was done in collaboration with the community. This creates a powerful sense of ownership and value, as well as treating them as people rather than the objects of aid. (source)