January 15, (THEWILL) – The Rise and Thrive Humanitarian Foundation has donated over 577 bags of fertiliser and some farming tools to women farmers in Calabar South, Cross River State.
The items were donated during “A Blessing to Humanity Outreach”, organised by the foundation, which targeted at least five hundred women farmers.
The donation, which comprises about 577 bags of 5kg Urea fertiliser, shovels, machetes, hoes, cutlasses and others, was donated to the vegetable farmers at Airport Signal Field in Calabar South.
Speaking during the outreach, the director and founder of the foundation, Cleo Nelson-Adoga, said God sent them to help alleviate the challenges faced by the farmers.
She said they conducted an assessment and found out that the women needed these items and so they decided to intervene.
In her words, “We are trying to help the helpless and give back to society.
“We will be distributing fertilisers and farm tools and also giving them light by sharing the word of God to ensure that their lives are changed.
“There is so much hardship in the world and this is our way of making things a bit light for these people.
‘The women informed us that they need fertiliser because this is dry season and will help their crops blossom so we decided to help in that area”, she said.
She said the foundation has embarked on days of collecting and hopes to follow up with the women and its research team will also come back to ensure that what they have done has indeed helped them.
She also disclosed that they are happy to put smiles on the faces of the farmers and impact their lives positively.
She advised the women to continue staying close to God, keep their faith and always believe in God.
In their reaction, the president of the New Airport Women Farmers Association, Arit Okon John, welcomed the donation and said it would impact tremendously on their yield.
Also speaking, Patricia David, a pumpkin and water leaf farmer, said she thought it was a story, but she came, witnessed it and it’s real.
She said the foundation has done something phenomenal for the women and their output this dry season will be great.
Also speaking, Eti Eno Udofia said she is very grateful as she could not afford the items, particularly the Urea fertiliser which is the best.
She said before now, she usually stayed under the sun to plant, but with the raffia hat that they have received, their exposure to the sun will be mitigated.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
