Church Program to Empower Farmers Blesses School Children

Through its humanitarian partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is helping smallholder farmers in Liberia increase production, gain reliable markets, and build self-reliance—all while improving nutrition for school children. And in reaping rice, The Church was also reaping souls of those who recognized the hand of The Lord in the Church’s participation.

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Through an initiative known as the “Resilience Project,” which currently operates in five counties, farmer groups cultivate crops such as cassava, vegetables, and rice. At the heart of the initiative is farmer support. Since early 2024, WFP has worked with local farmers to provide training, seeds, tools, and financial assistance, and now with The Church’s support, farmers are expanding their fields, cultivating crops more effectively, and selling directly to schools. What was once subsistence farming with poor returns is now becoming a sustainable livelihood and, for many, a new sense of dignity and hope.

This transformation was on display on August 12, 2025, when the Church joined WFP, the Ministry of Agriculture, and local partners for the first rice harvest from 8.25 hectares of lowland farmland in Sinyea Town, Suakoko District, Bong County. The event was filled with traditional songs, dancing, and gratitude to the Church and to God as farmers proudly gathered the fruits of their labor.

Justin D. Nelson, CEO of the Dordalah Small Farmers Group in Nimba County and a WFP purchasing partner, explained, “Before the Church's intervention, small farmers were experiencing losses from their efforts due to lack of technical, moral, and financial support to help them lay out the swamps for planting, which caused them undesirable harvest results in the past. The process of laying out the swamp is costly and labor intensive. As a result, many small farmers got tired and lost the desire to farm in lowlands. Now that we have the market opportunity and a donor who facilitates making this difficult process much easier, the farmers are encouraged and are expanding their efforts.”

Multiple farmers and participants acknowledged the hand of God in the harvest. For members of The Church who were helping, the scripture in D&C 11:3-4 took on a special meaning: “Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.”

Although the rice field was golden and not white, these members of The Church were thrusting in their sickle with their might because of their desire to reap both rice and souls, as their humanitarian effort on behalf of their farming brothers was visible proof of their commitment to live the gospel.

Church representatives at the event highlighted that this effort reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ, who ministered to both physical and spiritual needs. Elder Haddock, a senior Church humanitarian missionary, emphasized the sacred nature of the support: “We believe in Jesus Christ and we belong to His Church. We believe we have a responsibility to help you. The money used for this project is from sacred funds donated to the Church by good people from around the world and that's why we're here: to see that this help reaches you.”

Elder Prince S. Nyanforh, Area Seventy for Liberia, told the farmers: “Appreciate God for touching the hearts of those good people around the world for blessing your lives through their sacred donations.” He then admonished them to do good and to be their brother's keepers, saying that "When Jesus Christ was here on this earth, he did not only preach; he went about doing good. Those who were sick came to him and he healed them. He also fed those people who were following him around and were hungry. He administered to them according to their every need and that's why we’re here: we believe in Him and follow Him. He said that we should be good to one another and we're here to demonstrate that love to you.”

The farmers who are prospering are taking to heart Christ’s admonition to care for the orphans and widows, and to be our brothers’ keepers. Crops produced through the program are being made available for local school feeding initiatives, ensuring children receive daily nutritious meals. Silas Juaquellie, District Education Officer for Bong County, said “we want to say thank you to the partners and those who are providing, because if you were not doing this work, we would not have food to share with our children.”

Government officials, including the Honorable Edward Perry, Assistant Minister of Agriculture for Extension, the Town Chief of Sinyea, the project coordinator Samuel Darwolo, and others all expressed appreciation for the project’s impact.

For the Church, the program is more than humanitarian aid—it is an expression of discipleship. As farmers gain self-reliance and children thrive in school, the project testifies of Christ’s gospel in action: blessing lives, lifting communities, and inviting all to come unto Him.