Sometimes we find ourselves sitting around on our hands, not because we don’t want to help, but because we don’t have the tools to do so. This problem was very real to many of the farmers we spoke with in Somalia. We heard people talk about having children and grandchildren who could help on the farm, but not enough supplies to have all hands on deck during the busiest parts of the year—especially preparing the land for the rainy season, planting, and harvesting. Plus, having the right tools can really help farmers take back control of some of the effects of a changing climate. "Before, my farm had really rich and nutritious soil, but the soil has lost lots of nutrients and its ability to retain water," said Mohammed Ahmed Askar, one of the farmers we worked with. "In order to be more efficient and to control for floods, I would love more tools we can use for flood control." Something that could help? Shovels! We bought shovels for all of the farms - a versatile … [Read more...] about Digging Deeper
Campaigns
Free Wheelin’
We’re all familiar with that feeling of wishing we had three or four arms to juggle everything we want to carry. Farmers are particularly acquainted with this feeling, sometimes hauling tools, seeds, manure, and more around over the span of a few hours. We wanted to alleviate some of this need in Annayo...and wheelbarrows were just the ticket! Wheelbarrows can be used in so many different settings — to carry manure, transport tools, or even carry a sick goat or sheep that needs to be brought somewhere. Not only that, wheelbarrows are low maintenance and easy to maintain. "Wheelbarrows are a useful tool for all the farms," said Roble Abdi Muse from the ARC team. "Most of the farmers need it to transport manure, but it can also be used for tools and other supplies." This change made possible by Mankind is My Business. … [Read more...] about Free Wheelin’
As Ewe Like It
In Somalia, livestock, and sheep in particular, are at the center of daily life. They're used for meat and milk, but also so much more - sheep can be used to buy necessary household items or even pay for a child’s education. Wool can be sheered, bones and hooves can be used to make buttons and other supplies, and, in general, they provide a greater sense of security for families. Sheep were a need brought up consistently by the families we interviewed in Annayo. So we decided to do something about it, getting some farmers more sheep to help form a foundation of stability in the community. We were able to buy sheep for families who were already taking care of livestock, and had the supplies and skills to do so. Many of the sheep we bought replaced sheep that had died during the 2017 drought, and the farmers we spoke with were so grateful. "There is a cultural value set on live stock in this region," said Rahma Ismail from the ARC team in nearby Hargeisa. "They mean a lot … [Read more...] about As Ewe Like It
Got Your Goat
Welcome back to Somalia! We’re in Annayo, a small farming community in the northern part of the country. The next thirty days will be all about Annayo - boosting these farmers' confidence that every season will provide enough bounty to support their families. We kicked off the month by talking to farmers - they told us what their needs were, and we brainstormed some ideas for how best to respond. One theme we saw come up time and time again was the need for more livestock - for manure for crops, milk to sell in the market, meat for the family, or to produce offspring that they could sell for income. So, what better place to start than by responding to this number one need...getting these farmers some goats! This community was heavily impacted by the recent droughts in 2017, and is still feeling many of the repercussions of the water shortage. Many people lost not only crops but livestock, trees and more. An infusion of more goats will help these families get back on … [Read more...] about Got Your Goat
Generosity in Action
The Apopa Youth Center is a sanctuary space. In the heart of gang territory, in a place where movement is restricted and violence is common, their center radiates peace, joy, and generosity. We sat down with the kids at the Youth Center to come up with ideas for how to make that sanctuary space even bigger - how to expand it out, reaching those who might not always find themselves within its walls. One boy had an idea. "There are people in this community who don't have food," he said. "We can bring them comfort and show them the good that's happening here by buying them some groceries." We loved that idea...what a wonderful way to give back, to put into action the leadership and generosity they've learned at the center. The kids put together care packages of food, with rice, sugar, flour, soup...the basics needed to create a meal. Then, they set out into their community to hand deliver the packages. And the best part? Even though we've spent the past few days on … [Read more...] about Generosity in Action
Artists in Training
The kids at the Apopa Youth Center are bursting with talent. They're artistic and musical. They're into hip hop and tae kwon do. Their creativity is off the charts. These kids are looking for something - anything - to help spur on their creativity. They can barely contain their enthusiasm for art and learning! What they don't have a lot of is supplies. We went to the closest art supply store and pulled together a sampling of materials for them to test out - acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, brushes, pallets, papers, and a block printing kit with plenty of ink for both fabric and paper. As we unveiled all the supplies, the looks on the kids faces was one of shock and surprise - they couldn't believe it was all for them! They got to work right away, sorting through the pile and chatting excitedly about different ideas for projects. We can't wait to see what they'll dream up and create next. … [Read more...] about Artists in Training
Everyday We’re Hustlin
The Apopa Youth Center is run by a group of spunky and hardworking Catholic Sisters. It's a place where everyone is welcome. A place where you can unwind, be yourself - and also, get fit. Every day in the afternoons, the Sisters host an aerobics class for moms. They don't have many outlets to concentrate on their health - to spend an hour just for themselves. And that's what the Sisters provide. When we asked the kids at the center how they'd do even more to keep their moms coming, they had an idea...more workout gear! Right now, the ladies workout on the hard, tiled floor, with just a stick or a broom to use for gear. "They could really use things like weights, jump rope, yoga mats, and bands," said the kids. And, the kids had another idea...what if we surprised the moms with their new equipment just before class? So they organized some chairs, sat their moms down, and one by one they brought up the equipment, explaining what each was for. They were so proud and … [Read more...] about Everyday We’re Hustlin
How We Roll
It's no secret that soccer is the world's favorite sport. And unsurprising that the kids at La Chacra wanted one thing...more of it! But, we asked, why don't you play more now? You have a field right outside your classroom, and there's plenty of time after school to play. Their answer was simple. We need jerseys, balls, and new soccer goals. The goals they had were old, small, and rusty. That's it? we thought. Now that's something we could change. We got a refresh of soccer balls for the kids, along with brand new jerseys - Real Madrid vs. Barcelona! And then the big kahuna...new soccer goals. Those were a bit puzzling to put together - how many ARC teammates and Catholic Sisters does it take to assemble soccer goal?? But with a little elbow grease, the help of our friends from the Global Shapers El Salvador hub, and just a little luck, the pieces were finally in place and the goals ready for play. It was a team effort...good practice for all the games ahead! … [Read more...] about How We Roll
Reading Rainbow
When we sat down with the kids of La Chacra, we asked about their ideas to make their community safer, better, and brighter. They had so many incredible thoughts, eagerly sharing with us and the Catholic Sisters who run their school. But one idea stood out, loud and clear. BOOKS! More novels. More textbooks. More English/Spanish dictionaries. The more books, the better. For the past few months, we've spent a lot of time with Catholic Sisters and their communities, working together to cook up big ideas for how to amplify the incredible work they're already doing. The result of these conversations? We're calling it the Color Movement. The Color Movement is all about bold, beautiful, bright colors - about feeling joy through creation. And about putting real resources into the Sisters' hands. So, we thought, what better way to bring these kids into the Color Movement than by doing something that incorporates all three - creating little libraries - and having the kids … [Read more...] about Reading Rainbow
The Great Outdoors
In the La Chacra community of El Salvador, family activities almost always take place indoors. The streets aren't safe - violence can occur suddenly. There aren't many public, outdoor spots to gather with peace of mind and a sense of security. But there's one exception. A school and community center run by Catholic Sisters. Inside its grounds, kids and families alike feel a sense of sanctuary. They can take a deep breath, they can relax a little. One thing the kids at La Chacra are really craving? Some quality time spent outside with their families. When we asked some youth in La Chacra about their ideas to make the space even more family friendly, it's no wonder that one of their most popular ideas had to do with being outdoors - picnics! "We'd like the opportunity to sit outside and eat a meal together," said one of the kids. "We can do that here." We did some sleuthing and determined the items needed for a proper picnic in El Salvador, and then we got to work! … [Read more...] about The Great Outdoors