Growing Healthy, Nutritious, Disease-Fighting Foods in the Midst of COVID-19

Since 2015, Vita, Africa New Life Ministries, and K & N Management have been supporting a small village in Rwanda called Kageyo. It is a very remote village, about 5 hours drive from the nearest major city.

COVID-19 happened quickly and by March 2020, it shut Rwanda down so unexpectedly that many of the support team in the little village of Kageyo were sent home, and transportation was halted across the country. This meant that no food or supplies would be able to come into the village. Being remote, Kageyo was unfortunately very low on the concern level for any support. Kageyo was potentially in a very desperate situation. Fortunately, our team member James Mushinzimana, (through our partner organization Thrive for Good) was able to stay in Kageyo. The time was crucial, as seeds needed to be planted prior to the rainy season ending (end of April). James decided the best approach was to build a huge community garden to support the community's needs. Between our partners in Austin, Texas and VITA, we were able to secure $1,000 worth of seeds. Through Africa New Life’s connections, they were able to deliver these seeds to James who planted them just in time and harvested the produce. The food being grown is high nutrient immune building food which will combat diseases, and are not just empty calorie foods (corn and rice) which does little for supporting the immune system.

James is also educating the village so they can one day be self-supported with their new knowledge of healthy food growing. One more step to help the Kageyo community step out of poverty and reach its full potential!

To date the following impact has been created in Kageyo:

• 93 Life Garden projects created and maintained
• 1 Master Trainer named James has trained 4 Growing Health Champions

• The monthly food being produced value is $84,425.90

• The monthly number of meals generated total is 129,886

• The number of people this currently supports is 6,429

• The current amount of people in Kageyo is approximately 25-30 K

• They currently hold 88 Keyhole Gardens 

Given the success of the project, we need your help to scale and expand to reach more Kageyo communities in need. In 2024, our goal is to:

• Expand by creating 180+ additional Life Garden projects
• Empower 7,200 people with healthy, organic food
• Train 4 more Growing Health Champions

Simply make your contribution, select your preferred wish and we'll send you regular updates on the impact you are creating!

You will automatically receive a tax receipt from Thrive for Good for your contribution.

Thank you for empowering the people of Kageyo with the training and simple tools they need to grow an abundance of healthy, organic, disease-fighting foods for life.