CULTIVATING HOPE: WISDOM’S JOURNEY FROM HEARTBREAK TO HARVEST

In the heart of Sinazongwe district, where the sun casts a golden hue over sprawling fields, a young man named Wisdom Lubinda in Mwanajoke village stands as a testament to resilience and hope. At 29 years old, Wisdom embodies the spirit of perseverance, having navigated a life filled with both sorrow and triumph.

Born in Kalomo Southern Province, Wisdom was just a boy when tragedy struck. Losing both parents while in grade seven, he found himself separated from his 3 siblings and taken in by his uncle.

“I often felt like a bird that lost its nest,” he reflects, with a faint smile. His journey through life’s challenges was anything but easy; he moved from one home to another, seeking stability and belonging.

After completing his secondary education in 2013, Wisdom began a series of part-time jobs. In 2014, seeking new opportunities and perhaps a fresh start, he moved to Livingstone, living with friends and juggling various jobs until he moved back with his uncle’s family in 2019.

Even so, it was not until he moved to Sinazongwe to stay with his newly wedded sister in 2020 that he truly found his calling—thanks to a man he affectionately refers to as Mr. Lemon Muleya.

Mr. Muleya became more than just a colleague; he became a mentor and a guiding light. “He taught me that farming is not just about planting seeds but nurturing dreams,” Wisdom says, his eyes shining with admiration. With Mr. Muleya’s encouragement, Wisdom took a small portion of land in the nearby wetlands, an area enriched by the residual waters of the once-mighty Lake Kariba. Here, in this unique ecosystem, Wisdom discovered a sustainable way to cultivate his crops without the burden of excessive water requirements.

In 2024, Wisdom’s fortunes changed dramatically when Ministry of Community Developed, identified him as a candidate for assistance under the drought response by Zambia Red Cross Society with support from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The Ministry in their selection criteria, included youth who were unemployed and had land in the wetland area. With support of agricultural inputs from Zambia Red Cross Society, that included maize and okra seeds, fertilizer, and urea, Wisdom was empowered to expand his farming venture. “The seeds they provided were like hope in a packet,” he shares, chuckling at how a little help can lead to big dreams.

As he prepares to harvest his crops this year, Wisdom could not help but calculate his potential earnings.

“A 50 kg bag of okra sells for 450 Kwacha in Choma. If I have a big harvest, that is a lot of money!” He pauses, reflecting on how these profits could help fund his younger siblings’ education and support his extended family.

Wisdom’s aspirations do not stop there. He dreams of owning a large farm and venturing into animal husbandry. “I see a future where my farm not only feeds my family but also provides for my community,” he declares with conviction.

His message to the youth resonates deeply: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. Do not wait for a job; chase after your passion and turn it into profit.”

Reflecting on his childhood dreams of becoming a doctor, Wisdom acknowledges the twists and turns life has taken. He may not have a stethoscope, but he sure has his hands in the soil, and that has become his new passion.

Though Wisdom has faced personal tragedies, including the loss of his child, he continues to forge ahead with his wife by his side. Together, they embody the strength of family, drawing from the well of resilience that Wisdom has cultivated throughout his life.

As one of the many beneficiaries of Zambia Red Cross Society, Wisdom’s story is not just about overcoming adversity; it is about planting the seeds of hope in others’ lives. Through every challenge, he remains a beacon of inspiration, a reminder that with a little help, dreams can flourish in even the harshest of environments. And therein comes our Motto: Saving Lives, Changing Minds!