POSTCARD FROM AFRICA - JUNE 2026

Michael,

One of the most inspiring events at our Western Cape Impact Center is the biannual Amafama[1] Harvest Market, which celebrates the achievements of small-scale farmers connected to local church agriculture programs.

Each quarter, community gardeners attend agricultural training at the Impact Center, where they learn practical farming techniques and receive seeds, compost, worm tea, and organic pest-control solutions. These resources are especially valuable because many participants live in areas where the available soil is predominantly sandy and unsuitable for growing crops. Through training and soil enrichment, families are learning to cultivate productive gardens despite these challenges.

At the most recent harvest market, participants proudly showcased[2] a wide variety of produce grown from seeds provided during previous training sessions. The market also provides an opportunity for farmers to exchange produce, purchase from one another, and establish relationships that lead to future sales and cooperation.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners, the Impact Center can provide quality training plus the agricultural resources needed for participants to succeed. These investments are helping local churches address food insecurity and unemployment at a grassroots level.

The Amafama Harvest Market is a celebration of a successful growing season. It is evidence of lives being transformed as individuals gain practical skills, improve, household nutrition, and create new sources of income. Through this program, small scale farmers are growing vegetables while also gaining confidence, opportunity, and hope for the future. 

[1] Means “Farmers” in Xhosa language

[2] Fresh spinach, cabbage, beetroot, tomatoes, parsley, spearmint, strawberries, and cayenne peppers were among the crops on display.