HHI Introduces M.E.A.L. Workshops

Since 1991, HHI has been empowering Africans to “Fight Famine Now” through agricultural education. In 2003, we began adding clean water projects such as water wells. This year we are very excited to be adding another new element to this amazing project!

On February 3rd, five very special women boarded a plane to Maiduguri, Nigeria with the mission of empowering women with the knowledge of food preservation techniques.

This project was inspired by an amazing Muslim woman from Nigeria. She was one of the few women that attended last year’s drip irrigation workshop held in Maiduguri. On the last day of the workshop, she made the comment that it would be very useful to the women of her country to learn ways to better preserve and prepare food for their families.
 

Through her encouragement, an idea was born. Agricultural Director, David Goolsby, came home and immediately began assembling a team of qualified women to participate in this new program. We have decided to call it the M.E.A.L. workshop “Mothers Enriching All Lives.” We believe that if we teach women food sustainability then the entire family will be blessed.
 

Each member of the team brought different talents and experiences. Dr. Willa Finley brought a great knowledge of agriculture and nutrition. Sister Brenda McVey has over 20 years of experience as a missionary in Ghana. Sister Eleni Melirrytos is a seasoned cook and a very gifted public speaker. 
 

Sister Janice Goolsby brought over 20 years of food preservation experience to the group and Sister Alisa Merritt, as the youngest member of the team, was able to open doors of friendship and acceptance with the local Nigerian women.
 

As the workshop began early on Monday morning, the Muslim women of the community seemed anxious to learn, but also very skeptical of these white women. They seemed to wonder what their true motive might be. 
 

As the week progressed, the women were more and more excited each morning. As they spent time together, they were anxious to hear about the families and homes of their visitors and the team learned so much about their culture as well.
 

At the end of the week, after they said their tearful goodbyes, they reflected on the impact of the workshop. It was so moving to see 80 women from two very different faiths come together for an entire week of knowledge sharing and growing in love for one another. 
 

Praise God for such an awesome opportunity to communicate with the Muslim world! If you are interested in learning more about this new project, please call David Goolsby or Alisa Merritt at (615) 832-2000.

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