At Regenerative Farms, we’re passionate about creating real-world change by empowering rural women with the skills, resources, and support they need to lead in the fight against gender inequity and climate change. And we’re thrilled to share some exciting updates!
Aaron Kalala Karumba Attends ECHO East Africa Conference, Showcases Regenerative Farm’s Impact
Earlier this month, local community leader and longtime permaculture trainer Aaron Kalala Karumba traveled from his home in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Burundi, invited to speak about our work and attend the prestigious ECHO East Africa conference. Thanks to a generous grant from the Woka Foundation, we were able to cover the cost of attendance which enabled Aaron to travel to neighboring Burundi for the three day conference. This is not the first time Aaron has traveled to share his story on an international stage, a well respected local authority on permaculture in conflict zone development projects, Aaron spoke to his peers from across the continenet to highlighted the urgent challenges facing communities in the Congo Basin—where conflict has escalated once again and where recent declines in USAID funding have left families and the few programs like his that serve them, more vulnerable than ever.
Empowering Women Through Local Solutions
For decades, Aaron has quietly and tirelessly worked in his remote local village along Lake Uvira in the eastern DRC, teaching women farmers how to survive and feed their children using regenerative permaculture methods. In these areas, women face extreme isolation, gender violence, and systemic oppression—while climate change intensifies, threatening children’s lives with chronic hunger, malnutrition and disease. Aaron’s innovative program at the APAA Demonstration and Training Center empowers women to become agents of positive change by learning critical, life-saving skills.
Hands-On Training for Lasting Impact
Aaron’s workshops focus on:
- Terraforming and enriching land for better crop yields
- Capturing and storing rainwater to protect against droughts
- Planting resilient ‘superfood’ trees that provide long-term nutrition and help restore ecosystems
The transformation is immediate. Women discover their ability to work together, and quickly grow enough food for their families, safeguard their children’s health, and reclaim dignity through practical, sustainable methods. Because all trainings are conducted in local languages by trusted community members, these solutions remain culturally relevant and sustainable for generations.
Support Needed Amid Conflict and Declining Aid
Even as conflict rages anew in the DRC, Aaron’s efforts continue to expand. Attendance at the his one-room training center exceeds capacity, with many participants forced to sit or stand in large crowds outside, straining to hear the lesson but eager to not miss out. Construction of a larger “Regeneration Hub” is underway but urgently requires additional funding to complete it. With your support, more women can learn, more tree seedlings can be planted, and more families and children can thrive.
Restoring Ecosystems and Protecting Wildlife
Aaron’s commitment extends beyond agriculture. By planting thousands of superfood trees, the initiative restores forest habitats essential to endangered species like the Bongo antelope. This work not only preserves cultural traditions for local indigenous pygmy tribes displaced by deforestation and land grabs, and whose cultural survival is intimately tied to the conservation of the land and also safeguards crucial ecosystems for future generations. The resurgence of fighting is currently forcing another wave of displaced people fleeing the north and accelerating habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunger, destabalizing the area where Aaron and his team work. More resources are needed urgently.
From Aaron’s Presentation in Burundi: “Nutritious Trees Project” and the UN SDGs
During the ECHO East Africa Conference in Burundi, Aaron presented how the “Nutritious Trees Project” run by Association Paysanne pour l’Autosuffisance Alimentaire aligns with and advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Below is a summary from his presentation:
| SDG | Description of SDG | Our Activities & Outputs |
|---|---|---|
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere. | BeekeepingAquacultureFood Forest | – Women and other community members sell products grown in food forests, generating income and reducing poverty. |
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. | – Increase in quantity & quality of organic crop yields- Restore rainfall cycles disrupted by deforestation- Improve soil health- Produce food closer to home- Women can feed their families | – Villagers feed themselves with vegetables and fruits they grow locally, enhancing both quantity and quality of available food. |
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. | – Food security- Improved diet & nutritional intake- Greater diversity of foods available | – Eating locally grown ecological products enhances health, providing essential vitamins, proteins, and minerals. |
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. | – Use of permaculture practices- Climate change adaptation education | – Villagers are empowered through hands-on training in permaculture and sustainable techniques. |
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. | – Women reclaim social status and decision-making power | – The project’s core goal is to empower women to grow food, earn income, and free up time for other pursuits. |
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. | – Protect communities against drought | – Rainwater harvesting and water conservation methods safeguard vital resources. |
8. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. | – Improved household finances- More money available for other needs- Improved quality of life | – Income from sustainable agriculture supports families and fosters community economic growth. |
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. | – Food processing infrastructure project | – Adding value through processing helps stabilize markets and boost local economies. |
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries. | – Children can go to school (fees, uniforms, equipment)- Advancing gender equality | – Women gain an active role in their community; inequalities lessen as they have more resources and decision-making power. |
12.  Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. | – Autonomy in food production- Reduce pressure to cut down native forests | – Permaculture practices produce healthy food with minimal environmental impact. |
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. | – Degraded soils- Soil erosion- Need for carbon sinks- Increased biomass | – Ecological agriculture methods enhance biodiversity and reduce climate change effects. |
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. | – Potential creation of ponds for aquatic and amphibian life | – Aquaculture and water conservation efforts support local ecosystems. |
15. Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss. | – Healthier soil- Congo Basin protection- Increased biodiversity- Revitalized water cycles | – Forest conservation and superfood tree planting protect biodiversity in the Congo Basin. |
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. | – Reduced daily labor for women- Youth integration- Biochar usage- Access to better tools and seeds- Support for displaced indigenous communities | – Women and indigenous groups gain stability, resources, and a voice, fostering more peaceful and inclusive societies. |
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. | – Elders share historical knowledge- Community meetings with local officials and women’s farming groups- Networking with government and NGOs | – Transparency and fairness in partnerships ensure sustainable, community-driven development. |
from Permaculture Impact by Permaculture Impact Team. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals website
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment
“The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States”.
How You Can Help
Aaron appeals to individuals, companies and organizations everywhere:
- Help complete the Regeneration Hub.
- Fund the expansion of training programs.
- Enable thousands of new superfood tree plantings.
With RF’s help, and a small grant from the Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation, Aaron is currently in the process of importing a seed oil press, which will help families be able to turn their crops into cooking oil. Funds are still needed to complete the import process and set-up the building where the crops will be gathered and pressed and then returned to the families.
Every contribution invests directly in breaking the cycle of poverty, environmental degradation, and violence in one of the world’s most challenging regions—especially for women and girls. By supporting leaders like Aaron Kalala Karumba, you foster locally driven, culturally relevant solutions that offer hope, resilience, and restored ecosystems.
Media Inquires contact:
Aaron Kalala Karumba
+243 813608140
By standing with Aaron and the Nutritious Trees Project, you enable more than just a farm or a training center—you bring opportunity, ecological restoration, and lasting change to a region long overlooked. Together, we can help local communities grow stronger, feed their families, and protect the Congo Basin’s precious biodiversity for generations to come.
Join Us in Making a Difference
By donating to Regenerative Farms, you contribute to a future where every child has access to nutritious food and a safe, resilient and restored environment. Thank you for being a part of our journey to end child hunger with regenerative farming and, innovative ecosystem restoration solutions. Your support is invaluable in making this vision a reality. Together, we can plant the seeds of hope and ensure a brighter future for children and their families everywhere.
Help Grow Support for APAA
Help us spread the word among friends, school groups, teams, and churches. Together, we can create a future where women farmers can survive and flourish. Share our stories on your social media and connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.
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Stay tuned for more updates and exciting opportunities to get involved. Together, we can drive meaningful change!
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Sincerely,
Donate Today and Help the Women Who Feed the World
Mary E. Johnson, Founder/CEO
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