Assistive Technology for Farmers Around the World

Overview: Fulfilling Life Ministries is contracting with Ned Stoller to provide assistive technology services to farm workers with disabilities around the world in the name of Christ. He is an agricultural engineer and certified assistive technology professional. He has been serving farmers with disabilities for 21 years with the USDA-AgrAbility program. He will network with missionary hospitals and agricultural missions to design low-tech tools for farmers with disabilities so they can grow their own food and earn a living wage.

Background: How can you grow food for yourself if you cannot walk? Agriculture is the world-wide employer. It includes remote cultures and the most vulnerable populations. People with disabilities all around the world need assistive technology to help them grow food and work their small farms. They have no other safety net. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the majority of the world’s 650 million disabled people live in developing countries: 80 percent of them in rural areas, often in a state of dire poverty. http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/action/facts_sd_enabled.htm

AgrAbility has been serving farmers with disabilities for the US Department of Agriculture since 1991. Their staff educate farmers about assistive technology to help them remain productive. People from all around the world visit the www.AgrAbility.org website. We will share with AgrAbility our global tool designs and maintain international communications.

ASK: Fulfilling Life Ministries will raise funds to purchase assistive technology for farmers and provide one-on-one services in the name of Christ. This will be an efficient use of finances with experienced staff having strong relationships in the agricultural and assistive technology industries. Collaborations with international missionaries will minimize travel costs and provide culturally competent services to the farmers in their communities. We will…1). Meet international missionaries and people with disabilities in their locale. 2). Find assistive tools that can be built in their local area. 3). Design new assistive technology tools that can be built around the world. 4). Purchase assistive technology devices for farmers with disabilities. And 5). Share newly designed assistive devices with AgrAbility.org for their toolbox and refer clients for the AgrAbility newsletter network list.

IS THE LORD CALLING YOU TO SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY FINANCIALLY AND IN PRAYER TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A FULFILLING LIFE? PLEASE CALL DOUG TO DISCUSS.

“The agricultural sector has an important role to play to economically empower rural men and women living with disabilities.” International Disability Alliance