From Abundant Harvests to Struggling Survival: Constance's story

By Njavwa Simukoko, Communications, Zambia

Drought severely impacts rural communities dependent on agriculture. In Zambia, where farming is a way of life, lack of rain leads to disaster. Families who once prospered now face food shortages, economic difficulties, and loss of livelihoods. This is the story of Constance Mulumba, a mother of nine children and farmer from Hang’umba village in Pemba district, whose life has been drastically affected by drought.

The Life of Constance Mulumba

Constance a wife and mother to nine children, (two boys and seven girls), has been living a quite a successful farming life in all life time but now.

"We are a family that is largely dependent on farming, and year after year, we grow several crops, especially maize. With good rainfall, we make good harvests: as many as 75 bags of 50kg of maize, a minimum of 15 bags of 50kg of groundnuts, and 40 bags of 50kg of sweet potatoes,"explained Constance.

The Impact of Drought on Agriculture

For Constance, farming is a means of sustenance and the backbone of her family's economic stability.

"So with these good harvests, year after year, we sell our produce and even manage to cater to our children's educational needs. This year, however, we have a major challenge due to less rain," she said.

The drought has decimated Constance’s crops, leaving her fields barren.

"We planted very well; however, all our crops have dried. In all our fields, we have been unable to harvest maize, sweet potatoes, or sunflowers. Everything is dry," Constance lamented.

Struggling for Survival

The failure of the crops has plunged Constance's family into a struggle for survival. "So life has become very difficult for us, and we are really struggling. We are merely surviving by God’s grace and the small livestock we are keeping. Things are hard."

Constance and her family are now forced to sell their chickens and goats to make ends meet. "We have chickens and goats that we are now being forced to sell for survival and to get other things like corn that we currently don’t have. This is basically how we are surviving. However, I am deeply concerned because, at this rate, we may even sell out all our livestock, leaving us with nothing to depend on."

A Reflection on Resilience and Hope

Constance’s story is a stark reminder of the resilience required to endure the harsh realities of climate change. It also underscores the urgent need for support and sustainable solutions to help families like hers adapt and thrive despite environmental challenges.

Organizations like World Vision Zambia play a crucial role in addressing these issues. Through collaborative efforts, they aim to provide not only immediate relief but also long-term strategies to enhance food security, promote sustainable farming practices, and support rural communities in building resilient livelihoods.