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Our beginnings
FARM-Africa was born to support those who nobody else could help. Our founders, David Campbell and the late Sir Michael Wood, were aware of the deepening poverty and declining food production in Africa.The famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s showed the world the desperate state in which many Africans lived. As David Campbell says, "we believed passionately in the potential of Africa's farmers and herders, given the right support. FARM-Africa w as launched to enable rural communities to realise their potential, supplementing their skills and experience with research and helping them build links to the wider world."
Many people question whether a small charity like FARM-Africa could make an impact, especially when poverty in Africa is so widespread. But over the years we've proved our worth. Our projects have changed thousands of lives and by working together with governments, we've instigated major policy changes.The Kenyan Government, for example, has adopted our animal healthcare practices, ensuring many more farmers and herders benefit from our practical research, tools and methods.
A key year in history
Live Aid, the Commission for Africa and more recently the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign, have all raised awareness of the needs of people in Africa, but there is still much to do. In Sudan, for example, civil war in the south has prevented help from reaching those who need it most.
With the recent signing of the peace agreement however, FARM-Africa can begin helping families in Sudan to develop agricultural livelihoods. We also have a vital opportunity to influence international policy this year, when the UK takes over the presidency of the EU and the G8 Summit is held in Scotland.The Prime Minister has chosen poverty in Africa as one of his key themes for the Summit, which we hope will enable us to improve more lives.
A life shared
Gete, a friend and beneficiary, is an extraordinary woman who lives in Konso, southern Ethiopia. She was the first to receive crossbred goats and worked tirelessly to succeed. I see her as a pioneer, like FARM-Africa. I just hope that millions more people like Gete can escape poverty for good in the decades ahead.
To everyone who has helped us grow
All that remains to say is thank you. Firstly, FARM-Africa couldn't have achieved so much without the efforts of our farmer and pastoralist partners. Without the vision and drive of our founders, FARM-Africa would not be here today. Thank you to Dick Sandford, who conceived and designed so many of our early projects. I am grateful to our hardworking staff, trustees and to all the government staff and partners in the countries in which we work Finally a big thank you to our donors and supporters, who make our work possible. I hope you will all continue growing with FARM-Africa.
Dr Christie Peacock, Chief Executive
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