VBHCD Impact From Isolation to Empowerment in Mbagese

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In the heart of Mbagese, a farming community nestled in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Janet Wuesege’s story is one of transformation and resilience.

At 50 years old, Janet, a mother of five and grandmother of twelve, has witnessed profound changes in her community, largely thanks to Heifer Nigeria’s Values-Based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD) program.

“Before Heifer came, we were not united,” Janet recalls, her voice carrying the weight of past struggles. “We didn’t have any forum to gather and discuss our development.”

Mbagese, a community of about 5,000 residents, relies heavily on farming, primarily rice, melon, and other crops. For Janet and many women like her, farming was a solitary endeavor, lacking support and collaboration.

“Everyone worked alone,” she explains. “There was no sharing, no unity.”

Everything changed with the introduction of the VBHCD program. Heifer’s emphasis on teamwork, income-generating activities, and family focus resonated deeply with Janet and her fellow women farmers. The program’s 12 Cornerstones, particularly “sharing and caring,” “gender and family focus,” and “accountability,” became guiding principles.

This newfound spirit of collaboration led Janet and other women to form the Mbagese Multipurpose Farmers Cooperative Society. Initially, they started as informal self-help groups. However, they soon realized the need for a more structured approach.

“We saw the need to keep our resources together,” Janet explains. “To grow and attain sustainable income.”

With Heifer’s guidance, they registered the cooperative with the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development in Benue State. This formalization allowed them to access funding and support from government and development organizations.

Today, the Cooperative boasts 60 members, all women farmers. They have a cooperative farm, where they cultivate rice and other crops. Their last harvest yielded over 80 bags of rice from three hectares of land.

“We plan to sell the rice when the price is right,” Janet says, her eyes gleaming with hope. “Then, we’ll rent land and build a small administrative office.”

The cooperative’s ambitions extend beyond farming. They plan to invest in a milling machine, allowing them to process their rice and add value to their products.

They also envision a warehouse to store their produce and a link to premium markets to ensure fair prices.

“We want to grow the cooperative and generate more income,” Janet says.

The VBHCD program has also transformed Janet’s personal life. She now works alongside her youngest son, born in 2003, who is still in school. Her other children, who are married and live in neighboring communities, have also embraced the spirit of teamwork and collaboration in their farming businesses.

Janet’s dream is for her son to become a government official, perhaps even a governor, to improve their community. She’s determined to provide him with the education she couldn’t afford for her older children.

“I want him to go to school so he can join the government,” she says. “To improve the community.”

Janet’s story is a testament to the transformative power of community, collaboration, and social empowerment.

Through Heifer Nigeria’s VBHCD program, she and her fellow women farmers are improving their livelihoods and their community.