In Uganda, where poverty forces many children out of school, James Kato, a determined father of ten, has turned barren land into a thriving mango farm to educate all his children. Once struggling with failed crops and backbreaking odd jobs, he now stands as proof that “You are born to succeed, and you will succeed.”
A Father’s Struggle: From Subsistence to Survival
After losing his wife to illness, James became the sole provider for his ten children. For years, he relied on small maize and bean plots, but drought and poor harvests left his family hungry and his children’s education at risk. Desperate, he took on grueling manual labor—digging wells, breaking stones, and hauling bricks—just to afford school fees.
The Turning Point: A Mango Seed of Hope. In 2018, James attended a farming workshop where he learned about mango farming’s profitability. With his last savings, he bought 50 mango seedlings and planted them on his half-acre plot.
Year 1: He nurtured them tirelessly, using organic manure and recycled water.
Year 3: The first fruits appeared—small but promising.
Year 5: His farm exploded with over 500 trees, yielding 3,000 kg of mangoes per season.
Success in Sweet Harvests, James’s mangoes became his goldmine:
Local markets bought his produce at premium prices.
Exports to Kenya boosted his income further.
He reinvested profits into more seedlings, a small irrigation system, and beekeeping for pollination.
Now, his farm earns UGX 5 million ($1,300) per harvest—enough to cover all his children’s school fees.
Educating Against All Odds
Robert, his eldest, studies agricultural engineering—inspired by his father’s success.
Prossy and Esther excel in secondary school, dreaming of becoming agribusiness entrepreneurs.
The younger children attend quality schools, their uniforms and books secured.
Despite his success, challenges remain, No access to loans to expand his farm and storage, No government subsidies for small-scale fruit farmers, Climate change threats, with unpredictable rains affecting yields.
James clings to his faith, believing “God will never abandon the righteous.” As he checks his phone for a pending buyer’s call, he smiles—knowing today will bring another breakthrough.
A Legacy of Resilience
James Kato’s journey proves that with determination, even a single mango seed can grow into a forest of opportunity. His story is a call to action—for Uganda to support smallholder farmers with financing, training, and market access.
