Welcoming Communications from Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Farming on Crutches initiative, a unique program designed to support young amputee footballers and farmers, is making waves in the agricultural and sports communities. This initiative aims to empower these individuals by providing them with training, resources, and community support, enabling them to participate actively in farming activities and football despite their physical challenges.
The training farm associated with the program is set to launch a small layer enterprise. This enterprise will produce eggs and manure, providing a potential source of income for the participants. The manure produced by the layer enterprise is central to the production of Bokashi, a sustainable method of composting that is beneficial for the farm's vegetable garden.
The vegetable garden at the training farm is lush, despite experiencing 2.75 meters of rain during the six-month rainy season. This is a testament to the farm's successful implementation of the Pasture for Life branding, which emphasizes sustainable farming practices.
Mambud, a participant in the program, recently returned from a visit where he received training from the Farming on Crutches program. Upon his return, he was welcomed home in a Groundswell kit, a sign of the community's support for his endeavours.
The lessons learned from the Farming on Crutches program will be implemented across the training farm, with the small layer enterprise serving as the first step. This initiative combines rehabilitation, skill development, and livelihood support tailored to the needs of amputees, helping them overcome mobility barriers commonly faced in farming and sports.
By facilitating access to appropriate prosthetics, adaptive farming tools, coaching, and inclusive sporting events, the Farming on Crutches initiative promotes physical health, confidence, and community integration for young amputees. Despite the lack of specific information about the initiative itself, it is clear that it is making a significant impact in the lives of those it serves.
The small layer enterprise being launched at the training farm will not only provide eggs and manure, acting as a potential income source for the program participants, but it will also contribute to the production of Bokashi, supporting the farm's sustainable vegetable garden.
Among the many benefits the Farming on Crutches initiative offers to its participants, the program's focus on equipping young amputees with adaptive tools for farming and football contributes significantly to their active involvement in sports, especially football.
