Sweet Potato Farm, Child Discipleship Group

Today we visited Peter Omondi, a farmer who started growing Orange Flesh Sweet Potatoes. Many individuals called him Mud because they wondered why he would farm them when many other varieties of sweet potatoes, believing there was no market for them. Peter sells the vines as well. The Sweet Potatoes are high in Vitamin A and are effective for seeing better at night and other medicinal purposes. Peter desired to buy additional land, this land is next to his current land that shares a river, if he purchases the land, all of the river area will be his. He also desires to add piping to assist in that better irrigation. Several years ago, Peter went to World Vision and got a loan to purchase more land and expand his operation. Peter was the first person in his area to purchase a motorbike to deliver product to individual customers and businesses. As Peter grew and produced each year along with paying back his loan, he also was the first to purchase a pickup truck. When cutting vines he employs 60 individuals. He is now looking to fence in his property so his crops will not be destroyed by animals. People don't call him Mud anymore, he is now very well known in the community as Mr. Big. Mr. Big'
s next dream is to buy a 10 wheeler so he will be able to meet the demand of his growing business.

After hearing Mr. Big's story and seeing his farm, we walked back up to the village. The women began preparing a meal for us to sample. It started with women grating sweet potatoes, then mixing them with water and flour to make dough. Most of the varieties were deep fried in oil, some were backed in the "oven" the kettle on the fire. The dough was prepared in the following ways: rolled out and cut into triangles, flat round chapaotey, skinny fries, muffins. It took about three or more hours for them to prepare everything. I don't like sweet potatoes and at home I refuse to eat them. I expressed that thought to the head woman in charge but then I told her if I could make them like she did, I would eat them every day. Everything was delicious.

Peter Omondi, recipient of a Vision Fund loan, pointing out his sweet potato fields.

Soaking the sweet potatoes.

Tami tries her hand at shredding the sweet potatoes.

Forming the mixture after mixing the sweet potatoes with flour.

Frying the sweet potato triangle cakes.

The variety of final products made from sweet potatoes.

Discussing the sweet potato operations with Gerald Oketa, a Vision Fund representative. 

We also visited a church school where the children greeted us with song as we arrived and led us into the church. The children performed two dramas for us, recited scripture, and told us stories of domestic violence in their homes, and sang more songs for us. They were well behaved and stood quietly for a long time as the dramas, stories, and scripture were told. The team took turns introducing ourselves, sharing about our families. We then went outside the church and engaged the children in games of jump rope, Chinese jump rope, limbo, and soccer. The children were full of energy and eagerly participated in the games. When it was time to leave the children prayed for us.

Report written by Bill.

The children at the Gospel Assembly of Gulu sang for us.

Pastor Samuel and his wife Florence.

The children really enjoyed the long jump ropes and Chinese jump ropes that we brought.

Tina demonstrates her skills with a soccer ball that we brought for the children.