Saransh Jain
Chief Dr. Chetachi Ecton Nwoga, the CEO of The When In Need (WIN) Foundation has acquired land in the Chiburi community in Kuje Area Council FCT Abuja. The huge land, which is about 8.6 acres, was cleared out and fenced to create a mechanized farmland that will feed the community for free.
“It is going to be a mechanized farmland,” Chief Chetachi said. “We already have the borehole and we have placed pipes all over the farm. The idea is to farm all year round, regardless of the season.”
The When In Need Foundation farm was mapped out and has been planted with seeds that will grow to fresh food for the community. The seeds being planted are rice, corn, tomatoes, onions, peppers, okra, beans, sweet corn, potato, greens, cabbage, watermelon, cucumber, plantains, cassava, ginger, garlic, saint leaves, garden eggs, avocado pear, banana, pineapple and sugarcane.
“We believe that agriculture is the next step to saving lives because right now there is scarcity of food, and we don’t know what is going to happen next year” Dr Ecton said. “This farm will feed many people, thousands and thousands of people”.
The farmers in the Chbiri community have been having difficulties accessing their farms because there was no clear path, and they would have to hike through thick grass, shrub and uneven soil. Chief Chetachi saw this problem and heard the complaints of the community. Consequently, she hired a road contractor to create a long 7-mile road that is connected to the main express road and allows farmers to easily access their farms. As a result, the Chibiri community residents are now driving through a clear path that never existed before and farmers can walk their cattle freely without destroying farmland.
“I heard someone asking me why you are doing this and I said why not. This is a community that has probably been deprived of farming for so long because nobody thought about building roads for them,” Dr. Ecton said. “Nobody thought about how they could get into their farmland to farm. So, I’m like, why not. If I’m able to do it and if God has endowed me with the resources to do it, why not do it.”
The people of the community were all surprised when they were informed that some mysterious woman single-handedly built the community road and they were excited when they discovered it was Chief Chetachi. They celebrated her and thanked her for such an unexpected act of kindness.
The creation of the When In Need Foundation farm has empowered and provided jobs for over 100 women, men and youth in the Chibiri community. “I am working on this farm purposely because of the founder of this place” said Dauda, one of the farmers. “God brought her from America to come and help people here. We are praying for her that God continues to bless her everyday of her life”
The selfless nature of Chief Chetachi, in addition with her passion of helping the community, has motivated her to build this community farm and road. The When In Need Foundation will be feeding thousands of people with this massive mechanised farm. The organization also has a medical mission coming up in a few months, in addition to the community farm harvests and several other humanitarian initiatives.
“This farm is a very massive farm. This is the first time we are having a mechanised farm with irrigation system, mixed cropping and lots of crops,” said Mr Leen Nda, a resident from the community. “She has spent a lot of money doing these things for us and we are very happy. This is an NGO work not the government but an individual , Dr Ecton. We are so grateful for her and we will make sure that the yields of the farm is used for the poor masses as she has planned it.”
Through her non-profit organization, Chief Dr. Chetachi Ecton Nwoga continues to make a difference in the community with limited resources. The WIN Foundation specializes in several humanitarian efforts including healthcare, fighting against malaria, medical missions, education and agriculture. The Foundation is currently seeking partnerships, donations, funding, grants, medical supplies, tractors, seeds and volunteers to continue to serve humanity. For more information about their initiatives and to donate, please visit the website www.winfound.org.
