One Day in Uganda

Harry and Jenny VanBelle of Alberta, Canada spent some time in Kenya and Uganda as Facilitators of Church Partnerships with the purpose to work with North American churches to facilitate partnerships between such churches and churches, communities, projects or partner agencies in developing countries under the auspices of CRWRC. They share with us here, one day of their visiting in the community of Hoima, Uganda.

Our Visit to Oxen and Plow Recipients

One day of our stay in Hoima, Uganda we spent with farmers who had received a set of oxen plus a one furrow plow through CRWRC.  That day we visited seven farm families who received a set of oxen about 3 or 4 years ago.  They were full of praise and thanked us deeply because it has made a world of difference in their ability to grow food and earn some extra money. Instead of spending two or three weeks with a hoe on a small plot, they can now plow an acre per day with their team of oxen.  Often they hire themselves out to neighbors or buy more land.

The first farm we were shown was owned by a farmer who was not blessed with a team of oxen.  His house and other buildings were very run down and most of his land was covered by elephant grass and shrub. Only small patches of land were ready for planting.  We were shown this place to contrast it with those owned by farmers who did receive the oxen.

The next farm was owned by a young farmer and his wife who had recently received a set of oxen.  Jack proudly showed us all the patches of land he had ready for planting as soon as the rains came.  He and his adopted orphaned nephew yoked the oxen and gave us a demonstration.  It was interesting to note that the nephew steered the oxen while the young wife walked behind the plow.  Jack just did the talking.

Stephen, a farmer close to 60 years old, was next on the list.  He had been able to diversify his farm to include a good patch of aloe vera, a good cash crop.  His buildings were in very good shape, including a new brick outhouse.  Mud bricks were lying in a pile to become a new brick house.  His sons and their families lived in the same compound, with many a child clamoring to be included on the pictures we took.  They certainly looked like a happy, healthy, and prospering family.  Stephen teaches other young farmers how to handle a team of oxen as thank you for his gift.

Robina, a widow, was next.  She lost her husband to AIDS a week after they had received their oxen.  The church helped her get on her financial feet.  Now she proudly handles the oxen and is able to grow all she needs for her family and enough to sell so she can put her five children through school. She is so thankful that she says she is dedicating her life to God and freely helps her neighbors.  She is one plucky lady.

The next three farmers were also most happy with the improvements they were able to make, thanks to the oxen.  One proudly showed us a huge bin of dried corn he had ready to sell.

The last farmer was a bubbly, happy lady whose husband was out in the back part of the land with his oxen.  She proudly showed off her new bike and a cell phone!  She felt very badly that she had nothing to give us in return, but, as we drove out of the driveway she ran after us and plunked a big red chicken in Harry’s lap.  We saw this as a big thank you to CRWRC for helping so many farmers in this area with obtaining a set of oxen and a plow.   

Back to Stories