Meet Papy!
Bolingo Village Head Farmer, Papy, delivering eggs and vegetables to the families, Democratic Republic of Congo
Papy is our head farmer and has been with us since we purchased the plot of land that is now Bolingo Village. He plays soccer with the kids, stays late when necessary, and is just an absolute pleasure to be around. We are forever grateful for his loyalty to GOF.
Papy lent us a few moments of his time to chat.
Papy:
I am Papy Muniangy. At Bolingo Village, I run the insect farm as well as work in the traditional farm.
Question:
How long have you been working with GOF?
Papy:
I have worked with GOF for about 8 years, since 2013.
Question:
Do you live in the community surrounding Bolingo Village?
Papy:
Yes, I live around the village, near here. I rent a house with my wife and children.
Question:
Can you tell us about your family?
Papy:
I had six children, but one died. So for now I have five children, three daughters, and two sons.
Question:
How did you learn how to farm?
Papy:
How did I learn this work as a farmer? Let’s say I grew up in it. My father was a farmer. As I worked with him, I mastered this work. My mom and siblings even worked on the farm. Farming was like a family thing, we grew up in it.
Question:
How did you learn to farm insects?
Papy:
I began working with insects 4 years ago, in 2017. I received the training here [in Bolingo Village] with Madam Nicole (former Executive Director of GOF). It was Mama Nelly who personally trained me, and here I am still doing it today.
Question:
Which do you enjoy more, traditional farming or insect farming?
Papy:
Insects or working in the garden? I would say farming mpose (palm weevil larva) because I’ve known how to farm in the garden since I was a child, so I have been doing that type of farming all my life. And since I am now educated on how to farm insects and it is something new to me, I like it the most.
Question:
Does everyone in Congo like to eat insects?
Papy:
Most people in DRC like insects, but because it’s not easily found everywhere, it can be expensive. So it’s like a delicacy. But yes, I can say most people here enjoy insects.
Question:
What is your favorite part of Bolingo Village?
Papy:
My favorite part about Bolingo Village is the way it has grown. When the project started, I was the only employee, and I was told we were going to build a village for children. Today, I am happy to see this project come to life. I see the children living here and the Mamas who take care of them, the clinic for healthcare and the farm for breeding and planting. And it proves that this project is expanding.
Papy has been with us for such a long time and we are forever grateful for his loyalty to GOF. We’re blessed to have found such amazing people, like Papy, to be a part of our GOF family.
Watch his interview below: