I didn’t know how to survive after my husband died and the crops failed.. but I’ m thriving thanks to kind-hearted Scots
WHEN the rains failed in 2007, Patricia Pezulu’s world collapsed for the second time in a year.
The previous summer, her husband died suddenly at the age of 49.
Fisherman Godfrey Simambo, who earned his living on the banks of the spectacular Zambezi river, was the family’s sole breadwinner.
His sudden death from pneumonia left Patricia and her two young daughters facing an uncertain future.
Two months after Godfrey passed away, the family moved to the remote village of Siakasipa in Kazungula district to be near Patricia’s parents.
Almost two-thirds of the population of Zambia live in rural areas where they have no choice but to survive off the land.
Patricia, 56, had to learn fast and contend with a devastating dry spell.
She said: “After my husband’s death, it was difficult as I didn’t know how to farm properly. We had food shortages and it was hard to experience such hunger.
“The biggest problem was the lack of income because the traditional method of farming only provided enough for consumption. “There was nothing to sell.” The family were lucky if they had one meal a day.
But today, thanks to Scots aid agency SCIAF, Patricia has turned her life around.
The Kulima project aims to provide food security for farmers.
It promotes sustainable organic farming techniques, including using manure instead of fertiliser and using plants, such as marigold and mint, to repel pests from crops.
The initiative also encourages farmers not to rely on maize alone.
As a result, Patricia now grows millet, sorghum, ground nuts and garden vegetables on two hectares of land. She
also owns chickens, ducks and goats, which provide an alternative source of income.
Patricia has much to smile about and laughed heartily when I pointed out that one of her chickens bore an uncanny resemblance to US president Donald Trump.
Her living conditions have also improved dramatically.
She said: “The progression is such that I have constructed my own house.
“Every year when I get money, I am able to invest in one or two household assets.
“My previous home was small and it has since been demolished.
“My old house would go into this one three times.”
Patricia joined the Kulima project in 2012 and was provided with training and some basic equipment, including drums to make tea manure, an organic fertiliser.
She said: “I acquired some knowledge in how to prepare the land and grow crops. As long as the rainfall is good, then I will have enough food.”
Last November, Patricia’s maize failed after a three-week dry spell but she had enough food in storage to provide for her family.
The gran believes the new sustainable techniques have made a massive difference.
Patricia said: “Organic farming is better than fertiliser.
“The yields for maize are good and it tastes better. I can also store maize for a longer time without it being destroyed by pests or disease.
“If it is a good season, it will reach the next harvest.”
She said maize produced using fertiliser and picked in the summer would become infested by the end of the year.
In contrast, the organic product can be stored for up to nine months.
Patricia says the project has transformed her family’s life.
She said: “It has helped me so much. I am able to pay school fees for my grandchildren and I can make sure they have food on the table all the time. “I’m not suffering as I did in the past.” Patricia is now passing on her expertise to others in the community.
Looking ahead, she said: “My hope for the future is to buy some cattle.”
Patricia will always be indebted to SCIAF for the support she has received. She said: “We are very grateful. “Kulima has helped us a lot but we don’t want the people of Scotland to leave us for good. “We still need your help.” SCIAF said money raised by the annual Wee Box campaign will help change lives for the better.
The charity’s director Alistair Dutton added: “We’re working with thousands of poor farmers in Zambia and other poor countries to help them overcome the growing challenges of increasingly unpredictable and severe weather.
“This includes providing training, farm tools, seeds and animals such as goats and chicken so they can grow more food, earn some money and have a more secure future for themselves and their families.
“None of this would be possible without the kindness and generosity of so many people throughout Scotland who support our work.”
● To donate to the Wee Box campaign visit www.theweebox.org, call 0141 354 5555 or email: sciaf@sciaf.org.uk