At the center of her village in the Shengena East watershed of Tanzania, lives Davina, a determined single mother of five. She faces the challenges of parenting with unwavering strength. Three boys and two girls are not just her children, they are the pillars of her world. Life in her village presented numerous challenges, particularly for a farmer like Davina. The biggest challenge was raising her family and providing her children’s basic needs.
The main source of her income was farming; the cultivation of seasonal crops. The responsibility of ensuring the well-being of her children weighed heavily on her shoulders. Amidst the struggles, there was a persistent worry about being able to successfully raise her family.
Davina says, “As a parent, providing basic necessities to my children is a constant concern. Our livelihoods rely on farming. We cannot really rely on our seasonal crops as a source of income. The worry about placing children's future on such an unpredictable source weighed heavily on my mind.”
A glimmer of hope appeared when Davina learned about a Purpose Group during a visit to relatives in another village. Intrigued by the prospect of sustainable agricultural knowledge, she joined a Purpose Group. Little did she know that this decision would be the catalyst for a profound transformation in her life and the lives of her children. Armed with newfound knowledge, Davina ventured into cultivating vegetable gardens including green vegetables and tomatoes, diversifying beyond traditional crops. The gardens not only provided a quicker harvest but also became a source of increased income for the family.
The collaboration between Davina and her children in managing these gardens strengthened their family bond. Davina managed to have another source of income in which she could sell vegetables on the market on a weekly basis. The impact of the Purpose Group on Davina’s life was transformative. The group not only empowered her to diversify into vegetable gardens but also inspired her to start tree nurseries with grafted avocados. The family's income expanded beyond seasonal harvests, ensuring financial stability even during non-harvesting periods. As a parent, Davina recognized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Her life lessons, born from overcoming challenges, became an invaluable legacy she hoped to pass on to her children. Through hard work and determination, the family not only weathered the storms of life but also flourished in the face of uncertainty.
Davina’s success story is a narrative of triumph over challenges, a testament to the resilience of a single parent striving to create a better life for her children.
Davina says, “Resilience is key. Life may throw challenges our way, but it's how we navigate them that defines us. I hope to instill in my children the importance of adapting to change and finding opportunities even in adversity.”
Through collaboration with Plant With Purpose Tanzania, Davina’s family not only cultivated sustainable agricultural practices but also cultivated a thriving bond that would shape their future for generations to come.
