When we opened Maono Light a few short years ago, it was a blank canvas. A vast expanse of open fields and opportunity. From the moment our gates first opened, this once empty land began to fill with the sounds of life. Children laughing, the cows, the chickens, and of course the occasional chorus of song led by Paulyne. Maono Light was indeed alive, but this cacophony of life lacked a certain harmony that is so sweetly seen today.

Even just over a year ago, you would find children wandering the property, without much direction. Crops struggled to thrive on farms thanks to an ongoing competition with weeds and disease. But this has been a transformative season — One that has brought new life.

New parents, such as George and Christine,  have helped to transform life since their arrival in August. Thanks to a parent’s steady presence, children don’t spend their days roaming but rather creating, learning and growing. They’ve turned empty space into projects for the family, even building their own pigeon house. They have brought African village life – the very thing these children lost – into the family to help the children identify with the culture around them.

The boys especially embrace the presence of a father. George delights in teaching them his skills in masonry and painting, and puts them to good use in projects around the house – not to mention in the house, where he’s taught them a thing or two about cooking! The boys wanted to share their newfound culinary skills by preparing a meal for a visitor : Horizon’s own Jack Eans, who gave his dinner two thumbs up.

The children at Maono Light aren’t the only ones flourishing. Over the past few months, the farm has also seen transformation. The children help around the farm, including starting their own gardens and with the livestock. Thanks to a large flock of laying chickens, they’re kept busy. This flock averages 740 eggs per day – which has contributed to our poultry earnings tripling from 2019 to 2020.

The cows won’t be outdone, and are growing as well, as Onyx gave birth to a healthy male calf late last year.

It’s exciting to see this vision come into reality. That the seeds planted years ago are starting to bear fruit. And that life at Maono Light has truly transitioned from fledgling to flourishing.

It’s exciting to see this vision come into reality. That the seeds planted years ago are starting to bear fruit. And that life at Maono Light has truly transitioned from fledgling to flourishing.