Three Years of Impact: How a Tractor Is Changing the Lives of Families in Sierra Leone

Do you remember? Three years ago, the Munich-based company Ketek donated a tractor to our partner organization in Sierra Leone. This tractor was more than just a machine, it marked the beginning of a movement that was meant to sustainably support many families.

A Brief Look Back

The tractor was intended to help fight hunger in the region, a challenge that became even more urgent due to crises such as the war in Ukraine. Many African countries, including Sierra Leone, rely heavily on grain imports, and the war led to sharp increases in the prices of wheat, maize, fertilizer, and fuel. As a result, food became even less affordable for many families, worsening the overall economic situation. This is where the importance of local agricultural projects becomes clear. Through their own farmland and the use of the tractor, communities were able to reduce their dependence on imports. They secured their own food supply, created income opportunities, and made their families and communities more resilient to global crises.

Projects like this not only strengthen food security but also give people back a sense of self-determination.

The project was supported by Commit and Act Germany (CAA) as well as the Ministry of Agriculture of Sierra Leone, within the framework of the “Feed Salone” initiative (“Feed Sierra Leone”) launched by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

Impressive Results

What started as a small idea has since grown into remarkable success: Hundreds of families have found work on leased farmland, directly feeding their households. Commit and Act Sierra Leone has cultivated and harvested more than 150 hectares of rice and maize in the districts of Moyamba, Bo, and Tonkolili. A total of 700 bags of rice were collected alone, enough to feed many children and families.

Thanks to this project, children no longer have to be sent to relatives due to food shortages at home. This is especially important for girls, who are often particularly vulnerable when separated from their families.

Looking Ahead: What We Need to Continue Growing

The achievements so far show what is possible. However, to sustain and expand this impact, additional support is needed. Commit and Act Sierra Leone is now working in several communities across the three districts of Moyamba, Bo, and Tonkolili. With each new location, the opportunity to reach more families grows, as do the resource needs.

To expand agricultural production, reduce post-harvest losses, and sustainably support even more people, we need the following:

• Tractors – €54,000 To cultivate larger areas and reach new communities.

• Combine harvester – €52,000 To harvest more efficiently and minimize losses.

• Fuel – €15,000 For the continuous operation of agricultural machinery.

• Rain gear for farmers – €2,000 To ensure safe and healthy working conditions during the rainy season.

• Fish pond – €15,000 As an additional source of income and protein to strengthen food security.

Support Now for Self-Reliance and Future Opportunities

Commit and Act originally started with a strong focus on mental health, recognizing that psychological stability is a key foundation for a self-determined life. At the same time, it became clear that mental health also requires security, perspective, and a reliable livelihood.

Our long-term goal is for Commit and Act Sierra Leone to become independent and financially self-sustaining. This is exactly why agricultural projects like this one are so important. They generate income, ensure food security, and create stability, for families, for communities, and for the organization itself.

With your support, we can expand our work to additional communities, reach more people, and lay the foundation for lasting independence.

Every donation counts. Every investment in agriculture is an investment in mental health, dignity, and the future.

Today, the tractor stands as a symbol of hope, self-reliance, and the power of collective action, proof of what can emerge when commitment, partnerships, and courage come together.

Together, we can ensure that help turns into long-term independence, and that a single tractor becomes a movement that lasts.