Fill the Bowl | Stories of Hope | Harvesting Hope

Harvesting Hope

For farmer Renato a Tiruray and his wife Lilian, sending their children to school is a top priority.  However, with a monthly income of about $33, there was barely enough money to feed the family let alone continue to send their children to school.   When LWR and its Philippine partners began to work with farmers in Renato’s area to teach sustainable farming techniques, Renato decided it was time to make a change.

For this small-scale farmer, taking a day off can create a hardship for the entire family.  To give up four days wages is a supreme sacrifice.  However, Renato took four days off to attend LWR’s sustainable agriculture training and learn how he could improve his crops, hoping that his family’s standard of living would improve as well. 

Now four months after implementing what he learned in the training, Renato is starting to reap the benefits of sustainable agriculture.   His income has increased to $150 a month, an unusually high income during dry season.  Renato now grows mungbeans, redbeans, okra and corn that he uses to feed his family.  Additionally, Renato’s son is now able to sell fresh okra, eggplant and string beans at the local market, generating even more income for the family.

The children are appreciative of the income that has come from the improved farming techniques.  They like to get involved with the planting, watering, and weeding of the crops.  With the increased crops and their resulting income, Renato has been able to let go of a few of the side jobs he worked at other farms and can spend more time to work at his own farm and enjoy his family. 

“Now I am sure of a weekly income,” Renato says.  “Buying new shoes, clothes and paying for school is now less of a headache to us.”

To support food growing programs like the one that benefited Renato, donate today.