True peace involves the opportunity for everyone to have life abundant and earn a dignified living. Working with the community, MCC’s partner FAGROTES (Fundación Agropecuaria Tejiendo Esperanza, Weaving Hope Agricultural Foundation) first opened a rice processing plant and committed to purchasing farmers’ harvests. Then, they expanded into training the farmers how to grow cacao, the plant used to make chocolate.
 
Thanks to the Mennonite Brethren’s decades-long reputation of peace and a firm commitment to not affiliate with any of the armed groups in the region, our partner was also able to safely open and operate a chocolate processing plant in the community.
 
Now the farmers can turn their cacao harvests into a finished product. The chocolate bars are then sold in the community, allowing farmers to safely earn an income while also helping the local economy.
 
That’s the power of peace in action.
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ!
https://mcccanada.ca/stories/peace-chocolate

Without traditional food systems and knowledge, most Indigenous communities rely on over-priced food shipped from urban centers. The price of fresh produce and meat in northern Ontario communities is TRIPLE that of urban areas in southern Ontario.
 
In response, MCC has partnered with First Nations communities all over northern Ontario to support food sovereignty with initiatives like community garden kits which come complete with all the tools and seeds needed to start a large garden. MCC also advocates alongside Indigenous partners for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action, which include addressing the need for Indigenous food sovereignty.
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ!
https://mcccanada.ca/stories/community-gardening-kits

Casa Alitas looks like every other house lining the street in its Tucson, Arizona, neighborhood, but what sets it apart from the other houses is what lies inside. Each day Casa Alitas opens its doors to migrants seeking asylum in the United States because their lives are in danger in their home countries. Inside they find a safe place where they are respected and informed.
 
Some migrants have been traveling for three months or longer by the time they arrive. They have undergone stressful processing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to get humanitarian parole, which allows them to stay in the U.S. legally until their asylum request is processed.
 
Upon arriving at the house, guests are offered food and water. They are shown to their personal bedrooms and are given toiletries and clothing, if needed. Casa Alitas houses up to 25 families per week when numbers are high. Most guests only stay a few days until they can connect with families and friends. A note from a man and his son reads, “May the wonderful God bless you today, tomorrow and always.” 
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ!
https://mcc.org/stories/casa-alitas-offers-peace-safety-families

Lidia Chambi recalls stories from generations ago where farmers in her community grew hundreds of potato varieties. But as decades passed, the names, shapes and colours of these abundant varieties got lost along the way. Growing up, her family could only grow a few types of potatoes.
 
MCC partner Programa de Desarollo Integral Interdisciplinario (PRODII) is dedicated to reducing the effects of climate change and guaranteeing food security for the most vulnerable Indigenous rural farmers. In Chiro Kasa and the surrounding communities, PRODII is helping farmers bring back native plants and seeds and providing them with micro tunnels to keep vegetables safe.
 
As more potatoes are recovered, Lidia is helping guarantee food and extra income for families including her own. “I and my family continue to work, looking for better days, producing our food for self-consumption.”
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ!
https://mcccanada.ca/stories/reclaiming-old-tradition-meet-new-challeng