Fellowship Alumni

From Kenya and Mozambique

Empowering Women and Youth with Disabilities in Food Systems

To build resilient and sustainable food systems, it’s crucial to ensure equal access to agricultural opportunities, resources, and training.  To address barriers faced by people with disabilities, 2021 Fellowship Alumni Xangamira Sitoe and Simon Nyaga Wanjiru collaborated to empower women and youth with disabilities in food systems.

2021 Fellowship Alumna Xangamira Sitoe leads participants to planting activities as part of the training.

Through a Leveraging Innovations in New Communities (LINC) Grant, the pair provided comprehensive training to 30 individuals in Mozambique on farming techniques, crop management, post-harvest practices, digital marketing, and market linkages. 

Participants engage in planting as part of training follow-up.

The project offered participants a platform to voice their challenges in accessing resources and opportunities in agriculture, and the training’s practical skills and knowledge empowered them to effectively manage farming activities.  Additionally, the project facilitated interactions with the agriculture and trade departments in Mozambique, advocating for better access to resources for people with disabilities.

Xangamira and Simon interact with deaf participants during the training.

Xangamira reflected on the project’s impact, “This collaboration has opened doors for individuals with disabilities in our communities, enabling them to participate actively and effectively in food systems.” 

Participants posing for a photo at the end of the training.

To support continued interaction and resource sharing among the participants, Xangamira and Simon established a networking platform to inspire future connections.

Written by Karigania Mwamlole.