Many Mouths to Feed

Our Plan

LLEM International is heavily invested in improving the lives of those who live in Asa, Nigeria. Our initiative, Many Mouths to Feed, is providing families with meaningful, long-term opportunities to support themselves. We’re also committed to ending food scarcity issues in several other surrounding communities.

Years of bad governance and corrupt economic policies have caused the prices of consumer goods in Nigeria to skyrocket to all-time highs. The Nigerian economy is dependent on revenues from gas, and the termination of gas subsidies for the Nigerian people has increased economic hardships for most people.  The already poverty-stricken Nigerians have been particularly impacted. Now many Asa residents are experiencing severe food shortages never seen before.

Recently, the executive director of LLEM International visited Nigeria and toured the communities that LLEM serves. He heard stories from men and women about their day-to-day hardships. Many of their stories revolved around not having enough food to eat, due to losing their jobs and the painfully high prices of commodities including rice, beans, sugar and palm oil.  While food insecurity issues have always plagued this community, the people are now much worse off. A large segment of people in Asa does not know where their next meal will come from. LLEM must immediately intervene to help.

We’re calling on our international community to partner with us in order to end the food crises.

We believe access to food is a fundamental human right. To hear stories (especially in the 21st century) from people who do not have enough food is heartbreaking. It is especially tragic because, especially in the United States, there is so much food waste. LLEM International remains committed to helping people gain access to nutritious, wholesome food and bring a lasting solution to desperate families.

LLEM International is excited to help through our program Many Mouths to Feed.

Our Initiative for food security has two components:

 1) Gifts of goats (God and a Goat)

2) Community Garden

Our Many Mouths to Feed initiative is designed to fulfill God’s commandments to feed those who are suffering.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:34-40 New International Version (NIV)

Please read how our innovative work is feeding hearts, minds, and bodies.

Project Components

1) God and a Goat – $75

God and a Goat provides goats to families in need. Each family selected for the program will receive two female goats and one male goat, along with training on how to care for them. New goat owners learn how to build a raised goat shed with a slatted floor so the goats can stay clean, healthy, and safe at night. Each program participant will also commit to giving other Asa residents a kid, once their goat gives birth.  Giving baby goats to other community members makes this program highly sustainable, multiplies its benefits, and helps strengthen collaboration.

Local leaders along with volunteers work with LLEM International to ensure the program’s success. Male goats provide a family with nutritious meat. Female goats produce milk for families, which can be sold, helping the family financially.

2) Community Farm & Garden

The LLEM International Community Farm & Garden project provides families with a parcel of farmland for cultivation. An acre is divided between eight families, all who have a minimum of five family members. Each family takes ownership of the land assigned to them and can cultivate their plots for approximately 3 years.

During this time, families can cultivate crops such as cassava (Manihot esculenta), yam, corn, beans, and other local vegetables. The family can sell excessive produce to local markets, creating a source of income.

LLEM is partnering with other Nigerian-based institutions to help provide farmers with eco-fertilizer to enhance farm yields and increase program sustainability.

Your one-time donation will support the purchase of a plot of land where community residents can plant fruits and vegetables.

We anticipate one acre of land will feed 40 people, or up to eight families of five. Our goal is to purchase 20 acres of land at a purchase price of $48,218.

Currently, we have purchased 10 acres of land. We still need 10 more acres ($24,109) to reach our goal.

Can you Help us reach this God inspired vision and goal?

Help Us End Food Scarcity in Asa, Nigeria.

Can’t afford to purchase a full acre of land? Here are other ways to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are you trying to achieve with this program? Our Many Mouths to Feed program has two worthy goals: the purchase of farmland so people can grow their own crops and the purchase of goats to be used for milk and meat. 
2. How many people can be fed with a one-acre purchase of land? Forty hungry mouths. But it’s not just about feeding hungry mouths. Additionally, owning farmland provides local jobs for individuals who tend to it. This leads to job creation and economic empowerment.
3. How can you help? We realize that not everyone can afford to purchase a full acre of land. But we also know that every donation matters. At LLEM International, we’ve created several opportunities for you to participate without having to make a major financial investment.

Food Scarcity Facts for Nigeria

1. 1. Poverty is pervasive across the country, with 61% of the population estimated to live on less than a dollar a day and 69% living below the poverty line. The poverty line is set at $1.22 per day (66,802 naira per year) (NBS 2012c).
   2. One million Nigerians are malnourished.
   3. Nigerians generally consume a starchy diet, but wealthier households can afford more nutrient-rich foods (including animal-based proteins) much more often than poorer households. For instance, the wealthiest households consume meat, fish, and eggs an average of four days a week, compared with only two days for the poorest households.

Benefits of This Farm Program

There are many benefits to providing farmland. By participating in the LLEM International Many Mouths to Feed program, you will

1. Provide meals to many hungry families.
2. Create jobs and a sustainable income for many families.
3. Experience the joy of providing a long-lasting solution to a serious global problem, solving one of the greatest human needs.
4. Enjoy intangible, tangible, and eternal rewards. Everyone who donates farmland will receive a thank you certificate from LLEM International with the details of the size of land you helped purchase. This personalized certificate will summarize the number of people your donation will help feed. This is a perfect way to showcase (at home or at your office) your commitment to helping humanity and perhaps will encourage others to donate too.