Haja B. Koroma, a single mother, relocated from Freetown to Makeni after her marriage. However, her husband abandoned her with two children, both enrolled in university, leaving her stranded in Makeni without any relatives nearby. Faced with mounting responsibilities, Haja resorted to breaking stones to provide for her children.

Her turning point came the following year when she met Med-Tula Agro Rice Processing Center, an agro-dealer who introduced her to farming. Med-Tula, later contracted by the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), provided agricultural inputs and mechanization services to farmers under the program.

Through FSRP's support, Haja received seeds, fertilizer and mechanized services, including ploughing, harrowing and harvesting; all at no cost. This intervention transformed her life. Before receiving this assistance, Haja relied on unproductive loans to finance her farming, often struggling to pay her children’s university fees. But last year, for the first time, she didn’t need a loan and was able to pay their fees with ease.

Reflecting on her journey, Haja said, “I felt like I was living dead when my husband left me. Being a single mother in a town without relatives, with two children in university, was overwhelming. But meeting FSRP gave me hope again. The smiles I wore when I realized I could repay my loans and still have enough were priceless.”

One of Haja’s children graduated last year, marking a proud moment for her. She now supports her family independently through agriculture, which she has embraced as a business. With enough seeds to plant for the current season, Haja plans to expand her cultivation and increase her rice production. Her vision is to generate more income and build a stable future for her family.

Haja’s story is a testament to the transformative impact of FSRP and the power of resilience in the face of adversity. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/fsrp-a-lifeline-for-haja-b-koroma-enabling-her-to-support-her-children-and-achieve-independence/