The last 6 months or so have been really rough for farmers throughout the world due to extreme weather events - floods in Pakistan, drought in the Horn of Africa, Europe, and California, and heat waves throughout the northern hemisphere. On top of that, we have the war in Ukraine pushing up prices and reducing availability of fertilizer, fuel, and food.
Since 2 of every 3 people living in extreme poverty are farmers and most of them live in sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, and Central America, is this a time to despair?
Not one bit! Despite all the challenges noted, the weather isn’t awful everywhere. There are many ways to protect against both flood and drought, plenty of ways to fertilize plants without chemicals, and lots of approaches to support farming women so they can participate more fully economically. Yes, we can still end extreme poverty in our lifetime!
Both the US government and the United Nations have established special commemorative days in October to bring attention to the needs and accomplishments of farmers, those fighting the effects of disasters, rural women, those building robust food security, and those seeking to end extreme poverty.
Since all of these days directl align to World Vision’s THRIVE program, we like to call October 12 - 17 call THRIVE Week. Enjoy the mini-articles we’ve created below, and please forward the link to your friends. We want everyone to know about the great successes we have been seeing.
Have a great week!
THRIVE Week: 5 days of THRIVE, 5 stories of transformation
It’s an all too familiar story.
A smallholder farmer and their family sweat and strain to cultivate less than 5 acres with a crop of grain or vegetables. The harvest will provide the family’s entire income and much of their food for the year. But conditions are harsh and often unpredictable. In some parts of the world, oppressive droughts scorch the fields. Elsewhere, unexpected floods overwhelm family farms. Landslides bury crops and a household’s livelihood. Extreme weather can wipe out a smallholder farm in a matter of moments.
According to the World Bank, there are 500 million people living in extreme poverty—subsisting on less than $2 a day—who are part of smallholder farming families. If our goal is to eradicate extreme poverty, then improving the lives of this large group of farmers and their families must be a priority.
These farming families are not earning enough money to survive, let alone thrive. Our goal is to equip smallholder farmers with the tools, training, and opportunities to earn a living in agriculture. Additionally, we have to help farming families build resilience so they can withstand external shocks like extreme weather or changes in market conditions like the price of corn or fertilizer.
It’s why we highlight what we call “THRIVE Week” — five national and international days that each connect to our efforts to end extreme poverty by addressing the needs of farmers. The goal of World Vision’s THRIVE (Transforming Household Resilience in Vulnerable Environments) program is to equip families to lift themselves out of poverty by building improved and resilient livelihoods that enable significantly better incomes, food security, and child well-being
To honor THRIVE Week and shine a spotlight on those who are transforming their lives through the World Vision program, here are five encouraging stories that will feed your soul.
Coming Up:
Friday, December 2
Plan to join us at the 18th Annual Strong Women Strong World event.
We'll be "in person" and back in New York City at 583 Park Avenue! Invitations are coming and registration will be open in mid-October.
Invite a friend!
To Partner with Us:
World Vision has launched our new Economic Empowerment Business Plan. An 8 year plan, it aims to ensure that 10 million people in 10 countries have access to the tools they need to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.
Join us in providing hardworking people on 3 continents with the tools they need to THRIVE!
WMO predicts first “triple-dip” La Niña of the century | World Meteorological Organization The World Meteorological Organization has just announced its predictions for the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Leading to the extreme drought in the Horn of Africa and its resulting famine, another La Niña event is not welcome news by many, including some who are experiencing heavy flooding (although those enjoying excellent rains are celebrating).
Praise for the many meetings held in September at the Concordia Annual Summit presenting various aspects of World Vision’s ministry.
Pray for the economic empowerment field teams in 10 countries as they continue their work on the detailed plans for THRIVE 2030. The countries are Guatemala, Honduras, Senegal, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, and Myanmar.
Pray that Honduras and Guatemala would be spared from devastating hurricanes this year. Both countries were badly affected in 2020, and both need at least another year of reprieve from the problems hurricanes unleash.
In 2021, 90 percent of World Vision's total operating expenses were used for programs that benefit children, families, and communities in need. Learn More.
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