Turning Climate Challenges into Opportunities in Tanzania

Lukasi had big goals and big challenges.

He wanted to build a better house for his wife and children. He wanted to be able to pay the costs of sending seven of his school-age children to primary and secondary school. His family struggled to provide a consistent source of food. And he wanted to be able to save some money and start a business buying and selling chickens. Lukasi has a small farm in Lamaiti, Tanzania, in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika (DCT), but low rainfall and poor-quality seed hindered its yield. Household expenses and school fees took money away from his other goals.

 

When Lukasi joined a Savings with Education group established by the diocese and supported by Episcopal Relief & Development, he attended a presentation about conservation agriculture. He visited the trainer at her farm and asked her to come visit his farm to show him how to he could have more reliable crops with larger yields.

Practicing the conservation agriculture techniques he learned and planting a kitchen garden means the family now has enough food to eat. Lukasi has been able to save more. He can pay school fees and other school costs. The family has started building a house. With DCT, Lukasi now trains his neighbors to do the same.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s long-time partnership with the Diocese of Central Tanganyika includes an integrated food security program. The program focuses on climate resilience by combining conservation agriculture, savings with education, water management, environmental conservation, and gender equality and social inclusion.

Thanks to your support, this partnership is turning challenges into opportunities for people such as Lukasi.

View Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2021 Annual Report for more stories of lasting change.