This time of year is busy and exciting for Love Mercy. The middle of March was the beginning of the rainy season in Uganda, the time when all of the crops for the year are planted. This means that the second round of our Micro-Loan “Cents for Seeds” project has begun!
After the huge success of our project in the village of Baa, with 107 loans distributed and 104 returned to us, we were able to expand our project to include the nearby village of Awake. A total of 547 women have signed up to receive approximately 15kgs of seeds each, of differing varieties, from soya beans, green beans, and also ground nuts.
The mood in the villages was excited as the women lined up and received their seeds. They are now being planted, to be grown, harvested and then will contribute to imporiving the quality of live for families and entire villages. The women are asked to return the principal of their seed loan to the Love Mercy Foundation so that we can continue our project. The rest of the harvest, which averages around 100kgs, will be eaten, sold, and stored in case of famine.
I can only guess what this lady was doing as the seeds were being given out. When we met her in November, both times we saw her, she spent at least 5 minutes welcoming us in song. She was singing “Heaven! Heaven!” as an expression of her gratitude towards us being there, and helping her village. She had the coolest dancing, shaking her shoulders around. So incredible!
It is exciting to think about the difference that these seeds will make in the lives of so many! Woo hoo!
Caity
