Beneficiary Stories

For years, Mary Akech Deng struggled to provide enough food for her family due to unpredictable rainfall, limited access to quality seeds, and the effects of repeated flooding in Bor County. Like many smallholder farmers, she depended on traditional farming methods that often resulted in poor harvests and food shortages.

Through IHADA's Food Security and Livelihoods programme, Mary received improved sorghum seeds, basic farming tools, and practical training on climate-smart agricultural practices, including proper land preparation, row planting, timely weeding, and post-harvest storage techniques. These interventions equipped her with the knowledge and resources needed to improve her farm's productivity.

During the most recent planting season, Mary's sorghum field produced a significantly better harvest than in previous years. The increased yield enabled her family to have sufficient food for household consumption while selling part of the harvest in the local market. The additional income helped pay school fees for her children, purchase essential household items, and invest in seeds for the next planting season.

Beyond improving her own livelihood, Mary has become an active advocate within her community, sharing the farming techniques she learned with neighbouring farmers. Her success has encouraged others in Bor County to adopt improved agricultural practices, strengthening local food production and community resilience.

Mary's story demonstrates how timely support, practical training, and access to quality agricultural inputs can empower farming families to become more self-reliant. Through continued collaboration with communities, IHADA remains committed to promoting sustainable agriculture, improving food security, and restoring dignity to vulnerable households across South Sudan.

For years, Mary Yar walked four hours every day to fetch water from a contaminated river. Following the installation of IHADA solar-powered borehole in her village, Mary and her children now access clean, safe drinking water right outside their compound. "My children no longer fall sick from cholera, and they can attend school regularly," says Mary.

When severe flooding hit Bor, Rebecca feared for her 14-month-old son Emanuel who was suffering from acute malnutrition. IHADA mobile health team reached her temporary shelter, providing ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and routine immunizations. Within six weeks, Emanuel made a full recovery.