Widows in impoverished communities face hunger and isolation. When Maria’s husband abandoned their family, she was left alone to feed and care for her children. Living in the impoverished Natoot Village, she didn’t have many options. She and a few of her friends tried to encourage each other as they lived hand-to-mouth. Maria started selling charcoal and brooms at the market, but it wasn’t enough. Often, after a full day of work, she would come home empty-handed and depressed, knowing that her children would be going to bed hungry. Still, Psalm 68:5 reminds us that God protects widows like Maria.
Maria recalled: “My only source of livelihood was selling charcoal and making brooms. From the sales I could collect some little cash to buy food for my family. However, when I did not make any sales, we were forced to sleep on empty stomachs.”
Despite the fiery trials Maria faced, she clung to her faith in Christ. She didn’t know that God had a plan to transform her life through the Natoot Farm.
Natoot Farm at a Crossroad
As you may already know, the Natoot Farm is at a crossroad. For years, they have been limited in the number of farmers they employ. But recently, the farm received 13 additional acres – enough to double the farm’s footprint and the number of farming families it employs! As you read this, we’re in the middle of Bright Hope’s campaign to support the Natoot Farm expansion.
It will cost $50,000 to install irrigation, solar-powered water pumps and water storage tanks for the extra 13 acres. With your involvement, the Natoot Farm can provide fully equipped farm plots to 150 additional farmers, doubling the number of households impacted!
Just listen to how receiving her own plot to farm completely changed Maria’s life: “Before I began farming at the Natoot Farm, my life was hopeless and lonely. Most of the women in the village didn’t want to associate with me. I had a few friends and we shared one thing in common—a lifestyle of hand to mouth where we all struggled to have food on the table for our families.
But after joining the farm and joining my block team, we began having fellowship at the farm. During our meetings, we were taught how God takes care of His people and how He helps them through hard times. We were encouraged to love one another and care for each other. Gradually, I found myself in a family of individuals who were loving and caring. Apart from getting food from the farm, I also got money to buy other necessities and meet my family’s needs.”
Every morning, Maria woke up early to tend her tomato plants. In time, her tomato farm brought in enough money to feed her family, pay for Daniel’s primary education and secure his admission to a good high school.
How Can You Help Widows Like Maria?
Maria shared how God encouraged her to keep hoping in Him through the darkness of extreme poverty: “When my son Daniel was sitting for his final examination for primary education, I didn’t have any savings to pay for high school. Life was so hard. I didn’t have anyone to turn to. God was my only close friend. I used to pray to God day and night, trusting Him for a miracle concerning my sons’ education. I felt desperate, but I kept seeking God’s face. At that time, He reminded me of the widow in the Bible who told the prophet Elijah that she had only a little flour for her son and herself. But God multiplied her flour and oil, so she and her son always had enough. That word kept me strong!”
Truly, God can use you to multiply opportunities for new farming families in Natoot. Please prayerfully consider how you can participate in the transformational ministry of the Natoot Farm and change families for generations to come.
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To learn more about Maria and her son Daniel, check out this blog on the Natoot Farm.
