Teaching Farming to Women in Congo Aids Country’s Renewal

By Sister Claudine Dumbi, SNDdeN

As a professor, I believe that educating young people is paramount to our country because young people are our future, and we face many political and social challenges. In my work with students, I follow the education philosophy of St. Julie Billiart to “teach them what they need for life.”

Even though many of my students grew up in rural communities, most women have realized the need to learn agricultural practices that they had not learned in their village upbringing. I firmly believe that women taking up farming is an essential way for them to cope with the current national economic crisis and ensure the survival of their households.

Being with the students keeps me close to St. Julie Billiart, who accompanied those living in poverty in her small French village of Cuvilly, and reminds me of Pope Francis’ call

to be with those often left behind. I train them in organization and management skills to become successful small farmholders and market gardeners. Each woman has about one or two hectares (approximately 2.5–5 acres) of land, and they are eager to learn about soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, intercropping, pesticides and fertilizers. I teach them entrepreneurship skills, and they learn how to develop business plans that include budgeting, pricing and accounting so that the farm will produce income and food for their families. They also learn how to return profit back into developing and expanding the farm. Thinking about the future, I believe a scientific, ethical and humanitarian based education will help us renew our country. My goal is to accompany young female farmers in this renewal.

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