February 4, 2026

In Northern Uganda, World Renew and local partner, PAG North Teso, with funding support from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, implemented a project focused on improving the food security and livelihoods of subsistence farmers, including women and people with disabilities.

One objective of the project was to help farmers develop a business mindset. Rather than simply growing food for their families, the farmers were encouraged to sell their processed products at markets and trade shows to generate more income.

Akujo, 26, received training in marketing and business management. She put these new skills to work at a trade show, where she sold banana flour, pumpkin flour, and other products like daddies (sweet fried dough snack) and bagia (fried noodle). Akujo was pleased that all her products were purchased. “The marketing training and exposure has opened a new world of business to us, especially as women and young people,” Akujo says.

Through this project, participants also came to understand the importance of men and women working together as equal partners. After attending trainings in farming as a family business, Grace and her husband Peter grew closer, and they are now working together—not only on their farm but also in caring for their home and their children. Grace admits that before attending the trainings, “Too much hard physical labour had caused me to develop back complications because I had to work alone, most of the time, with very little help from my husband.”

This week (February 1–7) marks International Development Week (IDW), established in 1991 to inform, inspire, and engage Canadians in international development efforts. This year’s theme, “Prosperity through Partnership,” reflects the message of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Through partnerships with like-minded organizations and communities, World Renew works to equip families with the tools and training to overcome poverty, hunger, and injustice. Through your prayers and gifts, you too become an essential partner in this mission. Thank you for your ongoing support of World Renew.