Empowered Worldview spurs mindset changes among communities in South Sudan

Many families in South Sudan face significant challenges, including poor health, inadequate education, and insufficient food. For many years now, communities have depended on humanitarian assistance and food imported from neighbouring countries, like Uganda and Kenya.   A local farmer, Thomas Juma Morris, says, “Most of our people rely on food imported from other countries because we don’t grow enough here. Sometimes we don't have enough food for our children to eat.”

But now, things are beginning to change.  Farm Stew South Sudan has trained over 2,100 people since 2020, including faith actors, women, youth, and local organisations using a mindset-change approach called Empowered, which teaches people to find and use what they already have, like their skills, tools, and knowledge, instead of waiting for help from outside to improve their lives.  Farm Stew is supported by World Vision to effectively manage projects, reform policies, enhance institutional growth, and build new partnerships at local, national, and international levels.    

Before the training, many people in South Sudan blamed each other—sometimes organisations and governments—for not helping enough and believed they could do little to change the situation. But, after learning about Empowered Worldview, many began to believe in themselves and the opportunities within their community. Families started planting crops like coffee and teak that can generate income every few months. They also began working together to establish small businesses and became more concerned about their children’s health and education.

Faith actors, farmers, and parents are now partners in improving their livelihoods and transforming their communities. The Executive Director of Farm Stew, Charles Lasu Denis, says, “As an organisation, Farm Stew now uses the Empowered Worldview approach to change the hearts and mindsets of the communities we serve across seven states. Many families are now using the resources at their disposal to improve their lives.” 

"The Empowered Worldview aims to transform people's hearts, mindsets, and economic well-being. We train individuals to embrace peace and love, foster an attitude of hard work, creativity, and make use of local resources to improve their lives. We also provide them with entrepreneurial skills,” Charles adds. 

Kuot Aguto, the project manager of Farm Stew, says that many young people are now benefiting from attitude change training. “Throughout our trainings, we encouraged people to plant crops that generate income every month, quarterly, and even after five or ten years. Many people are now planting commercial crops like teak trees, coffee and oranges.” 

Farm Stew South Sudan is one of the local partners trained by World Vision to empower local farmers like Thomas Juma Morris, a 60-year-old father of four. In 2022, Thomas and many other farmers participated in training in Maridi County, Western Equatoria state. After this, Thomas transitioned from farming for home consumption to commercial farming, enabling him to pay for his children's education. 

"I learned how to use the resources around me to improve my life. Now, I am in the vegetable business. I make 125,000 SPP (approximately US$16) from my tomatoes, cabbages, and bananas every day. This company helped my son, John, complete his civil engineering course, and it is now helping my younger son, Isaac, with paying his diploma tuition," Thomas says.  

This year, Thomas has also cultivated five hectares of land and maize and bought a water pump to help him continue growing his vegetables during the dry season. “The training I attended in 2022 opened my mind. It has enabled me to pay for my children's university and also have a balanced diet at home.” 

Pastor Lam Duop Lam, the Faith and Development Coordinator, says that “World Vision uses Empowered Worldview as a mindset change training to help communities, local partners, and faith actors in South Sudan to believe in themselves and work together to transform their community. As a result, many families have started working together, opening new businesses, and engaging in various types of work without the shame they previously felt.

About Empowered Worldview 

Empowered Worldview is World Vision’s approach to helping communities, faith actors, and local partners work together to transform their communities. In South Sudan, this approach has helped many families work together, start new businesses, and do all types of work without feeling ashamed as they used to. This program shows that when communities believe in themselves and work together, they can create brighter futures for their children.  

By Moses Sakondo | Communication Officer