Hello readers,
This week, exciting news came out of Kasiya…
Black gold has been discovered!
No, we didn’t strike oil. 😊 Instead, the Chisomo Group uncovered something that may be even more valuable to their future: their very first batch of rich, dark compost—the beginning of what farmers affectionately call black gold.
Over the past several weeks, the group has been putting into practice what they learned during our composting and biochar training. Composting takes patience, about 40 to 45 days for the organic materials to fully break down. Once the compost is ready, it is mixed with biochar to create a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that will soon be applied to their crops.
This isn’t simply about making fertilizer. It’s about restoring the soil.
For many years, it has been common practice in Malawi to sweep the yards each day, removing leaves and other organic material. While tidy compounds are a source of pride, this practice also removes valuable nutrients that would naturally return to the soil. Over time, the land becomes less fertile, making farmers increasingly dependent on manufactured fertilizers. It becomes a difficult cycle to break.
By returning organic matter to the earth and incorporating biochar, the Chisomo Group is learning a different approach—one that gradually rebuilds healthy soil, improves moisture retention, and creates stronger harvests for years to come.
The best part wasn’t the compost itself.
It was watching the excitement on their faces and hearing it in their voices as they uncovered the rich, dark soil they had created with their own hands. Learning becomes something entirely different when you can see the results for yourself.
Small moments like these remind us that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. It grows one lesson, one skill, one handful of compost, and one community at a time.
That is the heart of Umunthu—I am because we are. As neighbors learn together and share new ideas, they are not only improving their gardens but investing in the future of Kasiya.
Thank you for following our journey. We can’t wait to share what grows from this first harvest of “black gold.”
