On August 27, 2020, Impact Sierra Leone (ISL) received a gracious donation of $1,500 from Agricultural Strategist and Farmer, Jillian Hishaw of FARMS USA. The funds were used to purchase much needed farm tools for members of the Kampala Agricultural Farm Association (KAF) in Sierra Leone. Some of the tools purchased included, hoes, cutlasses, watering cans, measuring lines, measuring tape, shovels, and spades. Planting seeds and seedlings to grow sweet peppers, ground nuts, rice, cassava cuttings and potato vines were also purchased.

Impact Sierra Leone’s CEO and KAF’s Chief Executive Farmer, Dr. Mohamed Bangura, along with other staff from KAF and ISL coordinated the distribution of tools. Approximately 185 farmers, representing 6 farming communities in Sierra Leone benefitted from this effort. At a time when prices for seeds and adequate farm equipment are not in Sierra Leone, the financial assistance from Ms. Hishaw could not come sooner.

The Action for Community Development Group and the Tawopaneh Women’s Farmers Association were two of the recipient groups, receiving new planting tools and groundnut seeds which will harvested in November.

Supporting Sierra Leone’s agricultural communities is critical to reducing hunger, poverty and promoting sustainable development. Promoting gender equality and fair treatment of women in agriculture is just as important. One of Impact Sierra Leone’s program priorities is female empowerment. For this reason, we are making sure that the female farmers in the communities we serve receive the same level of support as their male counterparts and are given opportunities for their concerns to be heard and addressed.

As we move closer to the end of an eventful year, Impact Sierra Leone and the Kampala Agricultural Farming Association will continue its work to improve the lives of families in Sierra Leone’s rural communities through sustainable agriculture. We are thankful for the outpouring of support from individuals and organizations from around the world despite the tumultuous events that have unfolded over the past year. We look forward to building more relationships and partnerships that will help create a better future for the people in Sierra Leone.