Farmer Field Schools Building Self-Esteem and Leadership Skills
Joyce Ecech is a widow and a mother of four children. After the death of her husband in 2008, she returned to life on her own in the village. According to Joyce, she had completely given up as she anticipated tougher times ahead of her in the village following the death of her husband.
“When I joined this Farmer Field School (FFS) group (Can Mii Diro), my fellow farmers trusted me and elected me first as their chairperson and later again seconded me to become their FFS facilitator. Subsequently, CPAR trained us as FFS facilitators in various areas of the project (including: gender, HIV & AIDS issues, modern crops agronomy, etc.),” says Joyce.
“Through these trainings I realized that I had potential and that life wasn’t really over as I had thought. I started serving my community though at first I was a bit timid and reserved. Now I can stand before fellow farmers confidently serving them in different capacities. My confidence and self-esteem in training and pursuing community programs has actually risen.”
“Due to my popularity now in our parish as a FFS facilitator, I was selected by our sub-county as one of the women activists to represent women in a conference in Kitgum. I’m also now capable of training my FFS members in project areas on project-related topics related to malnutrition, and best nutritional practices, etc.”