Father of five clings to hoe to educate his children

The Ramadthani’s are a typical farming family. They reside in Same district, Northern Tanzania in one of the drought prone areas of Tanzania. Ramadhani Salim Makunka, (53 years) is head of the house. He is married to 49 year old Glady Shabani. They have five children. Two of their children, six year old Salim Ramadhani and 13 year old Mariam are sponsored by World Vision.

The family owns several plots of land. On one of the farms they have grown maize and sunflowers which have already begun to sprout. The sunflower seeds were provided by World Vision. Their crops are perfectly arranged in rows, as per the instructions they got from World Vision. Ramadhani is pleased with the progress on his farm and is convinced that the education he got from World Vision is what made “the greatest difference”.

He explains, “In November 2012, I learnt good farming practices, how to prepare the field, the use of fertilizer and timing in planting. In previous years I did not grow in lines, or use fertilizer, but nowadays I do”. Ramadhani says he was so inspired that he decided to teach his wife the farming techniques and now both of them farm the land using the same approach. Momentarily, the couple both nods in agreement that they will reap a good harvest.

For Ramadhani, agriculture education is not only the key to everything it is “the cry of this family”. I believe that agriculture and by the use of the jembe (hand held hoe) my children will accomplish their education”, he says profoundly. At the same time, Ramadhani knows that with the right tools he can greatly accelerate the pace of production and that’s why he and Glady want so badly to purchase a tractor.

The topic shifts to 2004, when it all begun – with the sponsorship of Mariam. In 2011, Salim was sponsored. As part of World Vision’s support to improve the quality of lives of children, the family received flour, bed-sheets, cooking oil. There was a drought during that period and the flour could not have come at a more opportune time, which Ramadhani and Glady still greatly appreciate.

The Ramadhani’s have no qualms about involvement with World Vision. “We accepted World Vision’s support because we believed they’d help us in our development. We did not care that World Vision was a Christian organization. When the organization came to the community they did not choose. There were other Muslims who refused to join World Vision’s initiatives and when they see our progress they are now regretting”.

Besides their dreams for better education and a tractor, the family is also looking forward to enrollment to World Vision’s cattle artificial insemination project that will help increase milk and income. The pilot project is rolling out and some of their neighbors’ cattle have already been inseminated. Two cows are in the front yard grazing. According to Ramadhani, with artificial insemination cows grow fast – in 18 months, so one can sell them off quickly additionally, because of the improved quality of animal, a calf can go for U$D 300 to U$D 400. Clearly this will be a future potential source of income for this family.