Our Philosophy

Perhaps the most widely known Chinese proverb is, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” It is a noble and altogether laudable concept, but at Fertilis Terrae, we have come to see its glaring deficiencies.

1. Will the “man” learn to fish more readily on an empty or a full stomach?

2. Are you teaching him to fish with his bare hands?

3. If not, are you teaching him to fish with a net; a rod, line and tackle or maybe a boat?

4. Does he possess any of the necessary tools of the trade?

5. Can he make his own equipment or effect repairs when necessary?

6. Is he going to be fishing for his own subsistence or to sell or trade?

7. Does he know how to prepare the fish for sale or consumption?

This scenario and these questions helped formulate the holistic approach that we take here at Fertilis Terrae.

We believe in facilitating real and lasting change for the better in the lives of individuals and communities. Often, it means ensuring that they have enough to eat in the short term while they learn to feed themselves. It also means equipping them with the tools and skills that they will need, thus enabling them to do so in a sustainable manner.

It may seem like a major investment, and one not to be embarked upon lightly; but, in our view, it is well worth the cost.

Individuals who form the latest in what can only be described as generations of poverty have little or no opportunity or viable avenue through which their circumstances may be improved. Here at Fertilis Terrae, we aim to put an end to the cycle of generational poverty and misery and to begin a new cycle filled with opportunity, optimism and prosperity for these individuals who would otherwise have no recourse.

We do not, as a rule, sell or promote specific actions, projects or programs to be undertaken. Instead, we encourage individuals with innovative ideas, to share them with us so that we could help make them bankable and help to improve their lives and circumstances.

We give people every opportunity to succeed and to do so spectacularly and we don’t accept failure as an outcome, but as a step on the road to inevitable success.

Our people-centred approach has Biblical underpinnings. Jesus didn't just teach or preach to people. He healed them, fed them and generally ministered to them beyond mere words.