Thulasy Balasubramaniam in Zambia

For Thulasy Balasubramaniam, volunteering for Engineers Without Borders has become a way of life. Having already spent one year in Zambia, Thulasy has undertaken yet another placement in this landlocked African country.

This time, Thulasy has partnered with International Development Enterprises (IDE). A non-profit organization that relies on business principles, IDE launched its Rural Prosperity Initiative in 2007. The four-year program, which has been set up in several African and Asian countries, has received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

IDE helps poor growers become income-earning micro-entrepreneurs, moving from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming. The result: more money in farmers’ pockets, a much-needed outcome in Zambia. According to the World Bank, more than 60 per cent of Zambia’s population lives below the poverty line, and nearly half of Zambians experience severe poverty.

Compared to traditional agricultural projects, IDE takes a markedly different approach – offering “hand-ups” instead of “hand-outs.” Specifically, IDE trains farmers in how to grow crops (mainly vegetables); provides access to micro-credit, irrigation and inputs, such as seeds; and secures opportunities for crops to be sold at fair market prices.

Thulasy’s role is to assist IDE field staff as they work with farmers and private-sector representatives to turn development goals into reality. The key, she says, is building trusting and mutually beneficial relationships. “Small holder farmers have been unable to trust seed suppliers to offer reliable products and services,” she explains. “Vegetable buyers, meanwhile, have been unable to trust small holders to supply a reasonable quantity and quality of produce.”

That said, Thulasy is designing and implementing a training program that will enhance field workers’ relationship-building skills and capacity. Simply put, her work will contribute to the rise of a healthy and better-functioning agricultural sector – one that will serve all players.

Along the way, Thulasy is also making wonderful connections. “It has been a pleasure joining the field workers as they go about their day-to-day activities,” she says. “We have had numerous conversations about their vision for impact, the challenges they face in their work and their own personal aspirations.

“I love this placement because it's all about working with and investing in people. Good, hard-working people with amazing abilities and even more potential. I feel privileged to be able to support Zambia's current and future leaders.”