THE MOST SGNIFICANT CHANGE STORY- KWAMTORO.

WORLD VISON TRANSFORMED MY LIFE.
When Mr. Christian Matano visited by the Kwamtoro ADP facilitator, had the following
to narrate.
“My name is Christian Matano. I am a father of four children. My first born is in
secondary school while others are in primary school.
Warm welcome! When I see a World Vision staff I become very happy because they do
help us with great love. And in reality the organization took us very far.
Before they came to our area we had had very tough life. In the past we used to hunting
and collecting honey in the bush. But as the type and range of animals hunted for food
diminished many people tried agriculture. But they were very blind on agricultural
practices!
We thank God that the World Vision came at the right time to give people the right skills
required in agriculture. After all the governments’ effort to ensure extension services
reach all people engaging in agriculture was not of promising! They had the burden of
providing relief food even when the drought was not the case! This was due to poor
farming techniques.
In the past people spread seeds on untilled land then turn the soil with hand hoe! And
they managed to do this with 1-2 acres only. No one bothered with application of manure,
planting in rows, thinning or what! During harvesting they end up with 2 or 3 bags of
maize or millet. Funny enough the same little produce was used in making local brew
called ‘‘KHAMEE’’ Many families faced food shortage including myself.
In 1992 when the ADP came the situation found was very discouraging. The area was
characterized with low production, high level of illiteracy, poor health services as well as
bad leadership.
The ADP started with different sensitization meetings and trainings. Different groups
were trained on improved crop production, good animal husbandry, health issues,
environmental conservation, importance of education, leadership skills etc. Furthermore
they provided us with farm equipments such as ox-plough, solo pumps, moneymaker
pumps and oil seeds pressing machine.
That time I was a member of the ADP committee and to be an exemplary to other
community members. I bought different items including ox-plough and oil seeds
pressing machine which sold at a subsidized price. I also attended different trainings
conducted within and out the ADP operation area. I remember one challenging study visit
to Mpunguzi ADP. The visit revealed how far we are lagged behind others in
development. People were very social, very hard worker and committed to development
activities.
With the ADP partnership we have attained very great changes. Today almost every
farmer, herdsmen, businessmen or vendors can stand and say a lot about them. Myself no
one can cheat me on mixed farming, issues of primary health care, importance of sending
my kids to school, food storage, human rights etc. It’s my belief that if every member of
this community observes and make use of the skills equipped through Word vision
intervention, we will enjoy standard life complying to21st century.
In the past I used hand hoe! Today I have ox-plough. I owned only 2 acres while using
hand hoe! Today I have 10 acres. We are food secured since we harvest 20 bags of either
maize or millet simultaneously with 30 to 35 bags of sunflower. Before the Kwamtoro
ADP intervention, no one knew sunflower crop. Today almost eight households out of
ten produce sunflower as a cash crop. In the past we had only one cash crop (rosella).
‘‘Do you can see that machine’’. He stretched hand pointing on manual seed oil pressing
machine! About five bags of sunflower are being pressed here seasonally. My wife does
not buy cooking oil for a long time now. I use this machine as a joint project which also
leads to multiproduct. You know what! ‘‘First we get cooking oil and then we have the
seedcake for the chicks and pigs’’.
Do not forget! His wife interrupted. ‘‘Every week we slaughter a chick to make a very
nutritious and palatable meal for our kids’’. Our kids enjoy every bit of the poultry and
piggery projects’’ Many times it is through sales of pigs and chicks that our children get
their scholastic materials as well as treated mosquito nets that no long provided by the
Malaria Control Project. Thank you the World Vision for leading us towards self
reliance and sustainable development” He concluded

ABOVE: From left hand side is Vincent (Kwamtoro ADP-Programme
facilitator) when visited Matano’s family.
ABOVE: Mr. Matano’s family in front of their improved house, the
kid in grey gown with blouse is their sponsored child.
ABOVE: Mr. Matano walking in his farm planted after been tilled
using ox-plough.
ABOVE: Matano’s piggery project at Magambua village.
ABOVE: Mrs. Matano while feeding chicks.