José is a farmer and has selling his organic sesame seeds to our agriculture cooperative since 1996. When he began he and his wife lived in a shack with a dirt floor and an outhouse in the back. His wife took in wash to add money to their income from the farming. They had two children and even though it was a financial strain to send them to school, they did.
Because we helped José get and keep organic certification for his crops, his land has stayed fertile and he and his family healthy and free of toxins in pesticides. He also got better prices and has been able to expand some. Our agronomist has worked with him for years helping him overcome problems and improve his yields.
As a result, José’s family now lives in a home with indoor plumbing and a tiled floor. They no longer have a wood burning cook stove, but cook with propane, which saves them money, saves trees, and saves the lungs of everyone in the family. His wife no longer takes in wash but now has someone who comes in to help her!
They are not wealthy by any means but they are more secure and life is much easier…THIS is what is hoped for…not only easing people’s burdens but actually moving people out of poverty.
This season, give a gift to the Vida Fund to help provide capital to farmers like José who are just starting out.
-Kathleen
