Trip testimonies

A journey to learning that grass-roots social action has more in common with interstellar service design than I thought. 

My career in design, technology and business innovation has taught me to critically analyse ideas for value creation and sustainable growth models. From healthcare to the space sector, the keystones remain the same; has development been human-centered and iteratively refined? Is there a robust deployment plan and are there invested parties that will propel adoption? After the first few engagements at the Well of Plenty community farms I started to identify the very same factors we try to leverage for successful product delivery. I didn’t realise that social projects and enterprise design to overlap so closely, but the visit made it clear - the principles that drive meaningful products also drive meaningful social change.

The adventure 

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this trip, I was unfamiliar with the work of Well of Plenty, but applied to join the Apologetics Canada team, excited to learn more about technology adoption driving social change through Christian missionaries in unexpected settings. I had visited two other east African countries before on vacation, however this was totally different - an authentic experience that you couldn’t replicate without the deep, established relationships through the work of such a grass-roots operation. 

Each day we were introduced to one or (if proximity allowed) two different communities and their gardens. The church would gather together and sing songs to welcome us into the church for a time of praise and thanksgiving. We would then be given a tour of the garden, introduced to the participating farmers who would each, with great pride, show us their plot. We heard many testimonies of how the Well of Plenty program has been transformational to their family and livelihood. We saw the deep water bore-holes, the solar-pumps, drip irrigation systems, drinking water kiosks and other infrastructure, made possible by donations from Well of Plenty supporters.

There were riveting excursions too - after visiting a community garden adjacent to Lake Malawi, we enjoyed an afternoon boat trip and those that dared jumped off the top deck for a refreshing swim in the glistening waters. The following day, as we reached the southern most part of our trip, we checked into Kutchire Lodge who hosted us for a day and a half of wild adventures. Guiding us on both water and land safaris, we were captivated by elephants, hippo, a pride of lions, crocodile, a spectrum of colourful birds and many grazing animals. During our land safari we even glimpsed an incredibly special sight of a pangolin, described as ‘exceptionally rare and in severe danger of extinction’.

The paradox
As we travelled through Malawi, we discovered the national slogan of ‘the Warm Heart of Africa’ was a true reflection of the country’s culture. As one of the poorest nations in the world, the ability to somehow source sustenance for your survival is a challenge faced by more than I would bear to fathom, and yet, the laughter and vibrancy of each moment was palpable. A daily-hubbub of activity continued and creative solutions abounded in the pursuit of making something - anything - so that your family is fed that day. 

Through the pandemic we had a glimpse of what it might feel like to have limitations on what’s available. Even so, starvation as a national crisis isn’t something that our culture can fully comprehend. Here, as in neighbouring nations, water supply isn’t guaranteed. The infrastructure for safe and reliable drinking water - which would also be used for watering your food supply - is often a considerable distance away. 

The change-makers

Throughout the trip we witnessed how the work of Well of Plenty is facilitating local missions reaching rural communities with the greatest need. We saw how, when supported by the global church, pastors and their congregation have been able to lead their communities from an annual battle against malnourishment and famine, to healthy, food secure hubs of hope. 

I was deeply inspired by the program manager Moses, who holds nothing back in his devotion to creating opportunities for others. His mastery in software development and thought leadership in artificial intelligence are continually leveraged to create platforms, and while coaching others in many trades to realise their full potential. In the field, Moses guides the rural pastors, the garden manager and their community farmers in ways to optimise their growth, and how this growth can benefit others. 

Well of Plenty ‘s founder Doug, together with wise council and mission-partner Ben, led the trip with ongoing delight in introducing us to more farmers, pastors and communities. Both with years of business experience that has helped shape the astute and streamlined business model, the gentlemen stood back to let the testimonies of the villagers say much more than their explanations ever could. 

The pass-it-on model means that each beneficiary - a rural resident - soon has the honour of passing the gift on. This impact-multiplication framework is possible through the strategic growth plan, focusing on crops and animals that will give fast and ongoing returns. I loved seeing how this builds-up the communities to be empowered, change champions and have ownership of the on-going operations.

The invitation 

Throughout our trip I had the pleasure of capturing these wonderful people and places visited through a camera lens. I returned home with many rich memories and photographs, new friendships formed, and pivotally, a connection to a mission that had captured my heart. When you look at food insecurity by statistics, the scale of need can often lead to disengagement as any efforts would be ‘just a drop in the ocean’. However, with Christ-centred passion and the right operating model, those drops create ripples whose impact continues to spread outward. 

By joining Well of Plenty’s mission we are facilitating missions in rural communities with some of the greatest need on the planet. The costly layers of administration have been removed so that one hundred percent of donations go straight to the field and projects. My offerings enable an active response to the prayers of daily provision, and models the heart of God in coming alongside and loving thy neighbour for life-changing and long-term flourishing.