Piled high, forming walls, arranged in rows: a maze of maize. The sacks sit outside the Kampemba Area Development Program (ADP) office in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. They are tangible evidence of a successful harvest for 422 farming families supported by World Vision.

This year was something special for food security in Kampemba, and for the child sponsors in Canada who make it all happen, says Julie Kitembo, manager of the ADP.

With their success, Kitembo says the farmers will now begin another leg of their agricultural journey. During the next planting cycle, World Vision will begin teaching them how to use organic approaches to improve their crops, along with the use of cereal banks and appropriate technology.

The goal of World Vision's long-term commitment to the lives of people around the world - including the farmers of Lubumbashi - is to promote self-reliance.