Sending children to school through chili farming

Friday, July 24, 2015

"Now, we don't need to buy chili from greengrocers," says a woman while picking red chili from her garden.

She is Herodias. Everybody calls her Hero. She is 53-years-old now but her spirit never grows old. Hero lives in Katana, one hour away from Tobelo, North Halmahera, Indonesia. Most farmers in Katana worked as copra farmers.

The unstable price of copra caused farmers many financial problems, including facing difficulties in sending their children to school. Even when they were sick, they couldn't get any medical treatment because they had no money.

But everything changed when the women had an idea to come to the field. Herodias and 14 other women in Tonidora farming group committed to cultivating small plots and planting them with red chili. At first, they didn't have enough skill in farming. However, Wahana Visi Indonesia, a partner of World Vision which worked with local staff from agricultural office came and assisted the women for 3 months in the field until they could cultivate their own land.

Just like men, the women of Katana village started to cultivate their own lands using hoes and other tools that men usually use. Although it's very tiring, they never gave up learning new skills. After three months, they could see the result. Red chilies grew up well.

With this good harvest, they agree to pay monthly savings in farming group and save money for health and education. Currently, parents of 14 children can save money in education savings each month by selling chili.

"Now, every mother in Katana doesn't need to buy chili at the market or greengrocers anymore since we can buy it in our own village," said the woman proudly.

Because of the women, now all villagers could enjoy their own chili without buying it from greengrocers. Moreover, by selling chili, the women earn additional income that they can save for children's education saving. Hopefully by planting and selling chili, the women can save money for their children's better education in the future.

 

*Written by Hestin Klaas, Community Development Coordinator, Wahana Visi Indonesia at North Halmahera operational office
Agriculture and Food Security Community Participation