Sara Hendershot, NZ Spring 02

Q: Describe the work you are currently doing. What are your responsibilities?

A: I’m helping to establish a farm at an orphanage in Burkina Faso, West Africa. About 250 children between the ages of 5 and 15 reside here 9 months of the year. There is a school on the premises, as well. The goal of the farm is to eventually provide all the nutritional needs for the children, to teach them basic agricultural principles, as well as to produce a surplus that can be sold in the market to generate an income for general maintenance of the orphanage.

My responsibilities involve leading a team of 8 farm workers through daily tasks and teaching them techniques and principles of sustainable farming. The rainy season is very short here – basically mid-June until mid-September. During this time the staple grains – maize, sorghum, rice, and millet - are grown. Our rice crop is thriving, and the maize is decent. In about a month we’ll begin harvesting. During the dry season, we will attempt grow vegetables using drip irrigation. We’ve already utilized a plethora of used tires to make gardens, terraced hillsides with rocks for erosion control, and planted 2,000 trees around the main field to serve as a living fence.

Q: Why are you excited about it?

A: This farm is just getting off the ground. It’s a blank canvas. There are no preconceived ideas or structure for how we go about our work. This freedom is a blessing as well as a challenge. I’ve never done anything like this before and it’s also is my first experience in Africa. Therefore, I feel very unqualified to be in charge of such a task. But a wise person told me, “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” There will certainly be failures, but we’ll learn from each one. We’ve observed local farmers and have tried to network with other projects in the vicinity to see what’s been done and what has been successful. It’s exciting to be part of the farm at its formation and see the progress that’s being made.

Q: Why have you chosen it?

A: My heritage of growing up on a 5th generation dairy farm has instilled a love of agriculture. As my worldview expanded globally throughout college, I learned about the challenges many of the poor face in providing food for themselves and their families. I was able to study tropical agriculture at ECHO as an intern for a year. Here we learned subsistence farming principles applicable to the most challenging terrains and climates, such as hillside terracing, semi-arid farming, monsoon conditions and urban gardening.

God opened the door to come to Burkina when I finished my year at ECHO. I was eager to get more international experience and was open to going pretty much anywhere. However, I never dreamed I would end up in Africa! Working at an orphanage was what initially appealed to me. I love kids and thought it would be a great opportunity to educate young people on the importance of good farming practices and nutrition.

Q: In what ways does your current work (and life in general) relate to your experiences and learning from your days with CCSP?

A: During our Sustainable Development course, we learned about lifeboat ethics. I was continually plagued by the question, “Why did I get a seat in the lifeboat?” I had been given many wonderful opportunities to travel and see much of the world. So how was I supposed to use those experiences to serve God? It amazes me to look back and see how each step has led me to where I am. CCSP was a foundational part of my decision and desire to pursue agricultural missions.
The reading lists for our classes were well-chosen! Reading Wendell Berry’s writings challenged my perspective of agriculture. Walking with the Poor presented a new view of how to go about development work. For the Beauty of the Earth was a thorough look at our responsibility as stewards of the creation. Through these books and coursework, I began to see the how minutely interconnected each of us are with the rest of the world.
I have been able to share with my fellow co-workers about the importance of caring for the creation. There really are no trashcans here. I cannot generalize that for all of Africa, but where I’ve been they’ve been invisible to me. We planted 2,000 trees this week. The guys are accustomed to discarding of the plastic sacks into the bushes. I carried a trash bag with me to collect the sacks as they casually tossed on the ground. Initially they stared at me with puzzled expressions, but I explained the importance of being responsible caretakers of the gifts God has given us. Now they help me collect the trash.
I also don’t throw eggs on the ground anymore.


Q: What are some lessons learned from the CCSP experience?

A: Developing a sense of place has become a major part of my adjustment to settling into a new environment. I have a broader perception of my surroundings and am able to evaluate social conditions by observing specific indicators, such as construction materials, means of transportation, and availability of education and health care.
Journaling is still an important part of processing thoughts and emotions. Though my journals are not as colorful and expressive as they were in New Zealand, they’re more interesting to go back and read than they were prior to CCSP!
I still often make reference to my emotional state of being on the U-curve!

Q: What else is filling your time? Church participating, other ministry, local invovlement, travel plans, etc.

A: Without transportation, it’s difficult to be involved in many other activities. I’m currently working on my first patchwork quilt. There’s also the language training – I get tutored in French 3 days a week. I came here knowing about 2 French phrases! Acquisition of the tribal language, Moore, is also progressing slowly. Several people have expressed interest in learning English, so I may begin tutoring others, as well.
Here are some of the quality books I’ve read since coming: Mere Christianity, CS Lewis, Biblical Holism and Agriculture , David Evans, et al (strongly recommended for anyone interested in agriculture.) Working with the Poor, Bryant L Myers (not quite finished, but Walking with the Poor was so good, I knew this one would surely be a winner.) The Price of a Dream, David Bornstein (story of the Grameen Bank, a microfinance institution started in Bangladesh), Essential French Grammar, Seymour Resnick (Not recommended for pleasure reading, but it’s surely been a help in learning French!)