Christian Aid Harvest Appeal for South Sudan
In South Sudan, one of the poorest countries in the world, Anok Angok Kon lives with her husband and their seven children, on the frontline of a climate crisis they had no part in creating. Delayed rains, intense heatwaves and devastating floods leave many farming families struggling to feed their children.
Anok recalls the day when flood waters swept through her village, killing all her precious livestock - animals she relies on to make her living. Flooding also contaminates water sources, spreading diseases like malaria, diarrhoea and typhoid.
Christian Aid’s local partner helped Anok and her community to protect their land and their drinking water with a dyke to prevent the floodwater reaching the village. And with seeds, tools and training from Christian Aid’s local partner, Anok has planted flood-resilient, drought-tolerant and fast-growing vegetables that reach maturity in as little as 45 days, to make the most of the brief spells when growing conditions are favourable. This food will feed their families, and any surplus can be sold for cash.
Anok’s land and livestock are now better protected from flooding, and she is also rearing chickens, growing vegetables and selling her groundnut paste to bring in a much-needed income.
Anok added: “We used to go and collect leaves from the wild trees to eat but we aren’t collecting them any more because now we are growing vegetables - kale, jute mallow and okra. We sell some to get cash for the children’s school fees and for medical treatment.”
Anok is determined to succeed. “I work hard to put something on the table for my family to eat and to earn enough money to pay the fees to keep my children in school. If I get a good harvest, this is what I will do.”
Above: Anok plants fast-growing, drought and flood-tolerant vegetables that reach maturity in as little as 45 days, to make the most of the brief spells when growing conditions are favourable. Credit: Christian Aid/David Macharia
To download free Harvest resources, to book a speaker to visit your church or school, or to make a donation in support of the Christian Aid Harvest appeal, please visit caid.ie