Meet Sarah Nankunda from TIST Uganda, a woman of many roles: wife, mother, accountant, mentor, Cluster Farmer, and a devoted TIST farmer. Since 2011, Sarah has been serving on the TIST Leadership Council as the Uganda Accountant and has played a pivotal role in expanding TIST’s programs. This includes everything from training new Small Groups and Cluster Farmers, conducting quantifications, validations, to managing TIST Tanzania recently. Along with her husband, they are proud members of the Buhweju Small Group, having nurtured 7,459 trees together.
In her early days with TIST, Sarah was shy and had a hard time speaking in public. However, TIST provided her the platform to overcome her fears and find her voice. Through Small Group or Cluster meetings and the practice of Rotational Leadership, she had the opportunity to take charge and lead discussions. Over time, she has grown in confidence and is now a respected leader.
As a leader, Sarah has introduced TIST to potential farmers in over 50 “Come and See” meetings. She emphasizes the importance of TIST in empowering individuals, especially women, and challenging societal norms. She extends an invitation to as many women as possible to attend TIST meetings and trainings, as she believes these are learning opportunities they would not usually have.
TIST's trainings cover topics like climate change, agroforestry, conservation farming and more. Women are encouraged to start planting trees and learn to cultivate vegetable gardens, focusing on fruit trees like mangos and avocados. They learn about the nutritional benefits these gardens offer for their families and how they can earn extra income from selling surplus produce, in addition to the TIST tree incentives.
However, the opportunities TIST provides extend beyond the tangible; for many women, it is the first time they are given a platform to voice their opinions and experiences. Seeing Sarah, a woman just like them, leading, training, and inviting them, instills a sense of morale and curiosity within these women. This environment allows them to gain skills, make new friends, confide in other women who understand their experiences, and even delve into local politics. This fosters a sense of empowerment and leadership among these women.
Sarah is delighted to announce that she and her team have been invited to introduce TIST in four new locations around the country this year. The expectation is to welcome more TIST Farmers, and particularly an increase in Cluster Farmers, many of whom will be women.
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