One Government Worker’s Passion for Giving Back Through Vegetable Farming

When it comes to homegrown vegetables, residents of the Kivumu sector in Rutsiro district have an exemplary leader to look up to. 

Aloys Mugabo, the Executive Secretary of Kabere cell in Rutsiro district, has been on a journey with Gardens for Health International and World Food Programme’s partnership since 2018. The results are vivid when you visit his spacious vegetable garden or merely listen to his story.

“When I am not engaged with government work, I pull out my boots and gardening clothes and go to the garden. It’s not enough to coordinate workers. I have to do the work myself,” Aloys says. 

Aloys has planted amaranth, beetroot, and green pepper on a large scale for both his own family’s consumption and for sale. He also shares his harvest with some of the neighboring families. 

Aloys (LEFT) with Alphonse, GHI’s field staff (RIGHT), during one of the follow-up visits after his training.

Aloys has planted amaranth, beetroot, and green pepper on a large scale for both his own family’s consumption and for sale. He also shares his harvest with some of the neighboring families. 

“Sometimes, I let the neighboring vulnerable families come and harvest when they need vegetables to cook at home. I also encourage them to take seeds whenever they are available so they can also plant at home,” he says.

One thing that has stood out for Aloys in his experience of the GHI and WFP program is that there are many practical lessons. Whatever anyone learns during the training, they are able to implement back at home. 

His favorite parts of the training are the cooking and agriculture demonstrations and the continuous follow-up visits from GHI field staff who ensure that whatever he’s learned is put into practice.

Aloys’ garden is also a demonstration to other parents. During the rainy season, many of the parents often visit him to learn from the progress of his farming activities so they can improve their own. He also rears rabbits and chickens.

One of his favorite memories is when his three children, aged three to five, follow him to the garden and start imitating whatever he does. Sometimes, he gives them vegetable seeds to try and plant on their own. He is hopeful that they will grow up with a special passion for farming. 

While Aloys enjoys eating out at restaurants, he always looks forward to a home cooked meal because they are prepared “the GHI way” using the One Pot, One Hour method. After participating in the cooking demonstrations during his training, Aloys even trained other parents on how to prepare a healthy meal in one hour just like he was trained. At his own home, he always cooks for his family at least once a week, especially during days when his wife is at work.