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Global efforts to eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition are meeting more roadblocks because of the elimination of many U.S. foreign aid programs. In Africa, Global Ministries is expanding the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative to assist communities with sustainable agriculture initiatives and income generation. By leveraging longstanding relationships with UMC episcopal areas and annual conferences in Africa, and educational institutions and agricultural initiatives worldwide, Global Ministries seeks to improve lives and livelihoods among those it can reach.
Through strategic partnerships with African health boards and support for local health systems, we are working to restore suspended initiatives, combat preventable diseases, and ensure continued access to lifesaving treatments, vaccines, and vital healthcare services for vulnerable communities. Our current Global Health priorities include: Maternal Newborn and Child Health; HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; malaria awareness, prevention, testing and treatment; nutritional assistance and rehabilitation; essential medicines; and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
Tafadzwa Chingosho works in his fields in Hanwa, Zimbabwe. He gained skills through United Methodist programs including Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Photo: Kudzai Chingwe, UM News
Photo: Mike DuBose, UM
Africa University and Global Ministries partner to support pioneering research and innovation in agriculture and public health – two of the most pressing areas shaping the continent’s future. AU’s vital work in these areas was put at risk due to the sudden withdrawal of international aid earlier this year.
Kamisamba Farm maize production, Missionary Norman Yekeye and John Ntambo. Photo: Norman Yekeye
Under the Yambasu Agriculture Program, the North Katanga seed production project currently provides beneficiaries with seeds for maize, groundnuts, and rice. Communities are not only increasing their crop yields but also gaining valuable skills and knowledge in sustainable agriculture practices.
God of all creation, you have given us a world of abundant plant and animal life, with seeds, fruits and offspring of every variety imaginable. Forgive us for hoarding your gifts and placing profit over sharing food, water and sustainable ways to grow food. Help us, always, to remember our neighbors, God’s children, who receive a smaller share of this abundant earth, and help us to increase our love and compassion for them through you. Amen
The Bishop K. Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, through grants and training, mobilizes existing land and human resources within the church; improves community livelihoods and food security long-term; and builds capacity in annual conferences toward long-term financial solvency.
This season, give a gift to help feed multitudes and establish healthy livelihoods.
Pastor Gladman Kundhlande, who leads the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the Murehwa South East Circuit (second from left), prays for continued success for Tafadzwa Chingosho (left) in his goal of being a farmer. Also pictured are agronomist Stella Samanga (center), Julius Chingosho and Emmanuel Rukure. Photo: Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.
After dropping out of school, Tafadzwa Chingosho, an 18-year-old Zimbabwean, gained hands-on experience at Hanwa Secondary School’s greenhouse project, which is supported by a Global Ministries Yambasu Agriculture Initiative grant. He launched his own pepper farming business with his family’s support. Tafadzwa’s success inspired his community, showing that practical skills and determination can build meaningful careers.
Tafadzwa has become a role model in the church, said his mother, Muchavanzei Chingosho, Murehwa Southeast Circuit lay leader. “Many youths fall into drugs or crime when they fail academically. I am thankful to God that Tafadzwa chose something productive. He is an active youth member who knows and fears God and participates in development projects.”
Juliet Labson, 15, head girl at Hanwa Secondary, echoed that. “I admire Tafadzwa for choosing a better path. In Zimbabwe, the economy is tough, but at Hanwa, we have land and knowledge, which we can use to earn a living. Tafadzwa has shown us practical skills are powerful. In class, we often do not see the value of agriculture lessons but seeing someone of our age succeed through farming is eye-opening. Tafadzwa has motivated us all,” Labson said.
Photo: Courtesy of Africa University
Africa University (AU) and Global Ministries have entered into a four-year partnership to support pioneering research and innovation in agriculture and public health – two of the most pressing areas shaping the continent’s future. AU’s vital work in these areas was put at risk due to the sudden withdrawal of international aid earlier this year.
Global Ministries is providing funding, technical support and capacity-building resources, while AU also lends its agricultural expertise. They will work through Global Ministries’ Yambasu Agricultural Initiative, named after the late Bishop John K. Yambasu, who was the fourth chancellor of Africa University, serving from 2020 until his untimely death that same year.
Africa University’s life-saving work on malaria prevention through the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Program in Malaria (ZENTO) will also be supported through the partnership.
Kamisamba Farm, a YAI project in North Katanga, DRC, John Ntambo with local farm workers harvesting cabbage. Photo: Norman Yekeye
The Kamisamba Farm in North Katanga has been a recipient of Global Ministries grants and is now thriving since implementing a maize seed production project, which has spread across five districts of the North Katanga conference in Africa. Supported by the Yambasu Agricultural Initiative (YAI), the farm has been able to invest in critical farming equipment that brings greater crop yields and increased overall efficiency.
Kamisamba Farm now provides seeds for maize, groundnuts and rice, which has allowed more community members to learn agricultural skills and improve food security for local families.
“I’m excited to share that the project has recently signed a contract with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to supply maize seed to their different projects in the province, which has further solidified the reach and impact of this project,” notes Charinda. “This partnership will not only increase production capacity but also contribute to the country’s efforts toward food security.”
McDowell County is one of the poorest in the U.S., and the communities of Anawalt, Leckie and Gary are some of the hardest hit by the current six-year water crisis. All have Methodist churches that are part of the Welch Charge.
To ease the burden of residents who have to purchase many gallons of drinking water weekly, the Welch Charge contacted the West Virginia Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim McCune, for help. McCune’s United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) connection put him in touch with Global Ministries’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program.
A WASH grant allowed them to obtain a 500-gallon “water buffalo.” The conference disaster response team arranged to fill the portable water buffalo from the Welch water system, the county seat of McDowell, and transport it to Gary, where residents have been supplied with refillable containers. Residents of all three towns can come to get water, and volunteers will also continue deliveries for those who need it. Meanwhile, residents, including church members, continue to advocate state and local officials for a permanent solution to their aging, compromised water infrastructure. Full Story
