Growing Faith and Other Good Things in Kiribati

The following commentary was written by senior missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Christine Hair and Elder Corwin Hair.

Helping those who are struggling is the Saviour’s work and it is a great opportunity and privilege to help Him.

One doesn’t have to look very far to find those in need of aid and it is the objective of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to assist all of God’s children in a way that Christ would.

The Church seeks to participate in projects that offer an elevating “hand up” that encourages self-reliance, participation and sustainability.

Such a project is ongoing on the Pacific island nation of Kiribati.

Tamana Natanaera, the local self-reliance manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was tasked with finding members with gardening experience and a passion for growing things.

Working with local Latter-day Saint leaders, Tamana helped to identify seven qualified members whom he refers to as “champions.”

Each champion was given the equipment to set up a nursery tailored to fit into his or her available space.

A simple greenhouse was supplied to hold and protect seedling trays, as well as to offer shade as needed. Seeds were provided for growing nutritious produce such as cucumber, eggplant, capsicum, cabbage, tomato, watermelon, papaya and rock melon.

A watering system is a particular necessity in Kiribati. Although the 33 islands that comprise Kiribati stretch across 3,500,000 square kilometres of ocean water, fresh water is very scarce.

The champions were thus each provided with a watering system composed of a small solar pump to draw water from a well, a water tank with a stand, and a piping system.

Tamana Natanaera noted that the water system given to the champions is a big help as it “greatly improves their ability to produce more.”

With these necessary tools, the champion gardeners are able to do their part. For two years now, they have been planting the seeds in the small trays and nurturing them.

When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted into a garden, the champions begin sharing them with neighbours and friends. They may ask their church leaders to announce to their congregation that seedlings are available. They may also give the seedlings to coworkers or to neighbours in their communities who are interested in growing their own produce.

Champion Koruea Kaburara estimates that she and her husband assist about 100 people every month. She is very careful to shepherd those she gives her seedlings to by providing instruction and supervision.

Sometimes she helps them by giving them soil or compost that she produces.

Koruea gives her tender plants to those who are serious about following through. “Many members come to me and so do people at my work and in my community. I feel like I want to help both. They are happy to get the plants." 

When the champion has seedlings left over, they can transplant them into their own garden for their personal use or they may sell their excess produce to neighbours.

Koruea is able to feed her family and generate some extra income through her skillful management. Her neighbours are grateful to be able to purchase the fresh vegetables from her. The creative system benefits all involved and can be sustained.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will provide seeds to the champions for one more year and at the end of that period, the gardeners should be capable of producing their own seeds in order to maintain growing and sharing the seedlings. The program will continue to bless many people in Kiribati communities.

This project is not just an example of growing seedlings, but also of growing self-reliance, community spirit and neighbourly friendships. Underpinning all of this is a growing faith–among many participants–in He who created all things, and who cares for His children, one by one.