This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the economy, many farmers are struggling to find laborers to work on their farms. For one farmer, the problem was compounded by his own family members, who tricked him into doing the farm work himself.
The farmer, who has been a member of the 4K Club for many years, has a well-tended maize farm and is known for his expertise in agricultural practices. However, he rarely touches a farm tool and usually hires people to do the work for him.
But with the pandemic keeping people at home and no money flowing in the economy, the farmer found it increasingly difficult to find people to send to the farm. The chief had also been moving around telling people to practice social distancing, which meant that no more than three people should be contracted to work on a farm.
Despite owing some of his workers money, the farmer was struggling to find anyone to come to the farm. It was then that his wife, Fiolina, suggested that they do the work themselves. 'Why don't we do it ourselves?' she asked. 'We are five of us.' The farmer agreed, and they set out to weed the farm.
However, things didn't go as planned. The farmer's children, Electina and Honda, were initially excited to help, but soon became overwhelmed by the task. Electina's jembe broke, and she was sent home to help prepare lunch. Honda struggled to keep up, and was eventually sent home as well.
Branton, the farmer's other son, was also struggling, but he was determined to do a good job. However, he soon became frustrated and broke his jembe as well. The farmer was at his wit's end, but Fiolina remained calm and suggested that Branton use a different jembe. Despite the challenges, the farmer and his family members persevered and eventually finished the work.
As they worked, the farmer noticed that Branton was improving his weeding skills, and he was proud of his son for sticking with it. The experience had been a tough one, but it had also brought the family closer together.
