New Farm Provides More Than Fresh Food to Orphans

Ten years ago, I was introduced to a struggling orphanage in Miango, Plateau State that had been abandoned by the founder.

The children were receiving two meals a day of what was basically gruel or mush. Twice a week some protein was added if funds were available.

The children had lost their parents to Islamic terror. I decided to take responsibility for the orphanage. Meals were upgraded to three a day with protein. A new water system was installed with a new water tower. New furniture and buildings were added.

In 2021 the orphanage was overrun and destroyed by Sunni Muslim Fulani. The children escaped. Every building was destroyed and the children were placed in temporary quarters in Jos. More than the housing and school were lost.

Two years before the attack in 2021 land in Miango was obtained for the children to farm. The concept was simple: Allow the children to help feed themselves and develop self-worth. The farm was a huge success. So much corn and Irish potatoes were harvested that some were given to a small less fortunate orphanage.

The Fulani ran their cattle through the farm when they destroyed the orphanage in 2021. Their cattle trampled what they did not feed on. The Fulani use herds of cattle to advance on farms, hiding themselves and their weapons among the cattle.

In 2023 we rented land for a new farm and had an amazing harvest in August. Much more was produced than could be consumed before spoilage. Corn and potatoes were donated to smaller less fortunate orphanages. Successful farms were harvested in 2024 and 2025. Let’s do it again!

This year the older kids will clear the field, and the younger kids will help them plant. The crop this year includes Maize, Soybeans, Tampa (Finger millets, a highly nutritious cereal, Sweet Potatoes. Carrots, and Groundnuts (Peanuts). Some hay will be grown to use as covering for carrots.

This year the cost of starting up for the farm, including seed and fertilizer, is less than $2,500, the value to the children’s nutrition can be measured, but not the self-worth it builds. The smiles when the harvest comes in are incredible as the children say: “We did this.”