Working Together to Build Capacity in Africa – Part 2 (Lessons in Fast Food)
What comes to your mind when you hear the words “fast food”? I (Darrell) probably had similar thoughts to yours until my most recent trip back to Africa. Let me explain.
During the first three weeks of March I was in a very familiar place – Rwanda – participating in four different conferences. The first two involved teams from all the Africa partners coming together in Kigali. The third event was our CBM Africa Team retreat. And the fourth was facilitating the first module of the Integral Mission in the Workplace curriculum with CBCA, our partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In our previous newsletter in December, we wrote about an exciting 2-year initiative which has involved all CBM’s partners across sub-Saharan Africa (from Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], Central Africa Republic, Togo and Liberia). It is called the Partner Capacity Building Project. This effort, which was specifically requested by the partners, has been aimed at strengthening the leaders at the level of department heads and project managers. I was grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the fourth and final module. Once again, a wide range of topics were covered including Conservation Agriculture and Livestock, the Church and Humanitarian Work, Monitoring and Evaluation in Projects, as well as Peace & Reconciliation. I enjoyed leading a couple of sessions about Integral Mission in Creation (AKA Creation Care).
There was also an interesting session about Nutrition. Josiane works for an organization teaching rural farmers about the five food groups and the importance of a balanced diet. They have encountered many situations where people are eating fairly regularly yet still experiencing malnutrition. And it is not caused by a lack of food availability. Often the problem is, in fact, the time it takes to get a meal ready. Imagine coming home after spending the entire day labouring in the field and realizing that it will take you 3+ hours to prepare supper! As a result, to shorten the preparation time, too often what happens is that the meal fills the stomach but does not provide the body what it needs to be healthy. So, this organization has put together instructions on how to prepare a “one-hour meal”, which, in that context, is the equivalent to “fast food”! The steps are easy to follow, the farmers are encouraged to use what is available in the markets from the various food groups, and it is makes a noticeable difference in people’s health. The great thing was that we not only had a chance to learn about it. We then went outside and made it ourselves!
At the end of module 4, it was with great joy that the participants were able to receive their certificates indicating they had success-fully completed the training. Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. The good news is they are already passing on to others the many things they learned over the last two years, which is the true signal that this training has made a difference.
Working in discussion groups at the Partner Capacity Building training.
Everyone helping in the preparation of the “One-hour meal”
Everyone helping in the preparation of the “One-hour meal”
Everyone helping in the preparation of the “One-hour meal”
Everyone helping in the preparation of the “One-hour meal”
Time to eat! “Fast food” anyone?
Time to eat! “Fast food” anyone?
Participants were able to receive their certificates indicating they had successfully completed the training.
Reasons to Praise
- We’re grateful that Darrell’s 3-week trip back to Rwanda in March went well – very tiring but also very rewarding.
- As we look back at 2025, we truly give thanks to God for the unwavering financial support we continue to receive from churches and individuals. And the number of people who pray regularly for us at times leaves us speechless. All we can say is “Thank you.”
- CBM’s partner in Kenya for the last 56 years, ACC&S, have new leadership who remain fully and enthusiastically committed to their partnership with CBM. This is great news which is not to be taken for granted.
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We have said this before, but please continue to pray for our partners, CBCA and CEBCE, as well as our CBM colleague Polisi, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu, remain under the control of rebel militia groups. The hardships and trauma being caused by this situation are very difficult and, at times, dangerous.
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While we praise God for the support we receive, it will come as no surprise that ministry expenses continue to climb. If you would be interested in starting to support us (or increasing your current level of support), please reach out to Barb Keys in the CBM office (bkeys@cbmin.org or 1-905-821-3533). She will be happy to help you.
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Pray for strong relationships with our colleagues in Africa (both CBM staff and partners). May the physical distance from one another not detract from our ability to work together.
