There was basically no rainy season when we should have had it this year. Seed was planted but the people never got a harvest; due to the drought. They spent the money that they had on seed and fertilizers and never got any profit from it. The lack of rain continued into what should have been their second planting. People did not plant because there were no rains to sustain it. Later, we began to get rain on a regular basis but for most; IT WAS TOO LATE! Maybe 20% replanted but most did not have the money to purchase the seed and fertilizers to support a planting. They had depleted their financial resources on the first planting; that gave them no return. The drought did cause the coffee at lower elevations to ripen sooner than usual and so some are able to work in coffee harvesting to provide for the families. But for most, they are looking at waiting for the rainy season of 2027 that should begin in the later part of May and give a harvest in August of next year! That is a long time to struggle with how you can provide for your family in a time where there is such a food shortage.
I have been doing fund raising and so far, we have been able to hand out 100 lbs. of corn to every family in 6 of our mountain churches. We have the funding to cover two more churches but our largest church, with over 60 families will require about $2500 more in donations to cover them. Can you help us reach out to these families and help ease their struggle to provide for their children? Please send your offering to the new Servant Ministries address, with your donation marked for “Drought Crisis”.
Servant Ministries
PO Box 157
New Hill, NC 27562
Or you can use the Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=46FTCSZQ6M74G
