Introduction
In October 2021, the Weasua Clan Mining and Agriculture Cooperative Society (WECMACOS) based in Weasua Town, Liberia , launched a fish farming project with the goal of increasing income and improving the living conditions of its members. As part of the project, they constructed three fish ponds. In March 2024, two years and five months after launching the fish farming project, WECMACOS conducted its first harvest. Although the members were initially excited, the harvest was disappointing due to thefts that occurred prior to the harvest, leaving the fish stocks depleted. Following the harvest, the members were supposed to clean the ponds and restock them, but the poor outcome left them frustrated and discouraged, and they failed to take action. However, after a series of discussions facilitated by Diamonds for Peace (DFP), the members regained their determination to continue the project. Motivated by renewed hope and a commitment to success, they cleaned the ponds and restocked them with fingerlings in late July 2024.
Preparation of the fish ponds for restocking
Based on the fish farming training WECMACOS received from DFP, it is essential to regularly clean fish ponds to maintain a healthy environment for the fish. This is particularly important after a harvest. Although the pond cleaning did not take place immediately after the first harvest in March, the members eagerly came together on July 24th and 25th, 2024, to clean the ponds in preparation for restocking. During the cleaning, they cut the grass around the ponds, drained the water, and removed the mud to help keep the water clean. Initially, the goal was simply to prepare the ponds for the next phase of the fish farming project. However, to their surprise, the ponds were full of market-sized fish. As a result, they decided to conduct an unexpected harvest, estimating about five hundred fish. This harvest was far greater than the eighty-two fish they had managed to harvest in March. The members were astonished to have collected such a large quantity in just four months, especially given that all the large fish had been stolen earlier. Despite the unexpected nature of the harvest, the members were overjoyed. The successful harvest fueled their motivation and strengthened their belief that with proper care and security, the fish farming project could have a bright future.
The harvested fish were sold primarily to WECMACOS members, with a small portion kept for their personal consumption. From the sales, they earned a total of 15,250 Liberian Dollar, which is equivalent to USD 78.60. This amount was deposited into the WECMACOS treasury, with plans to reinvest the funds back into the fish farming project.
Restocking
During the cleaning and harvesting of the fish ponds, WECMACOS members carefully collected the fingerlings and kept them in a safe place to be restocked later. Once the cleaning was completed, the members counted over seven thousand tilapia fingerlings and restocked them across the three ponds. The counting was done to estimate how many fingerlings had been restocked, which would help them determine the amount of feed to administer daily. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to collect all the fingerlings, as there were so many, and some had become trapped in the mud. It is estimated that over five thousand fingerlings were left behind, bringing the total number of tilapia fingerlings in the three ponds to more than twelve thousand.
It is remarkable to see such a large number of fingerlings in the ponds, especially considering that just four months earlier, the harvest had shown almost no fish. This unexpected outcome presents an opportunity for a much larger harvest in the next six months, provided WECMACOS can manage the fingerlings properly and prevent further theft.
Testimonies from some of WECMACOS’ members
Morris (WECMACOS’ chairperson) 
I feel excited about the fact that we were able to harvest fish in this exercise. As I look back on the first harvest which was conducted in March 2024, I see a very big difference; the first was poor and devastating, but this one was very impressive; I didn’t even expect this amount of harvest, because we didn’t even plan for it. I am very happy, and I feel motivated by this. I have realized that it’s always good to keep focused and committed to whatever you plan to do, even if the benefits don’t come at the time you expect it; focus and perseverance will keep you going, and the benefits will surely come someday. Over the time of the fish farming project, I have been able to learn the skills in pond preparation and maintenance, feed preparation, fish harvest and fingerlings restocking. With these skills, I will continue to support the cooperative activities to ensure success in the fish farming project. Going forward, I will regularly engage my fellow cooperative members and encourage them to join me so that we can collectively achieve our goal. Conclusively, let me acknowledge DFP for the technical support they continue to give us through capacity building.
Theresa (a cooperative member)
The second fish harvest, which I considered surprising, was amazing compared to the first fish harvest and I’m glad to have been a part of it. This is because my plan going to the ponds was to prepare the ponds (cleaning and restocking). Fortunately for the cooperative, we harvested some fish. After this harvest, I was happy that the cooperative got some funding from the fish sales. Now, one important thing that came to my mind during the harvest was that, it’s not a good idea to quickly give up on anything you are engaged into because I now understand that falling one time doesn’t mean the end of any activities. Instead, it helps a person or group to go back and strategize on alternative methods that will make a project successful. Therefore, as a member of this cooperative, I will cooperate with other members so that we can improve our efforts to properly manage the fish ponds for adequate fundraising. I also intend to use the knowledge learned in collaboration with other cooperative members to prepare more fish feeds to feed the fish in the ponds. To DFP, I’m so grateful for the many training opportunities provided to me and the cooperative at large. It’s my prayer that we will continue to work together as partners until our lives and community can be transformed.
Emmanuel (a cooperative member) 
Firstly, let me thank DFP for their continued encouragement towards me. As a member of this cooperative, I was discouraged after the first fish harvest conducted months ago. I was reaching a point to suspend my involvement with the cooperative fish ponds activities because of the devastating fish harvest that we experienced. Notwithstanding, because of this second fish harvest which initially started with a restocking of the ponds; I have reconsidered my decision to come back stronger and be more active with the fish ponds activities by working hard to help the cooperative succeed in its fish farming. Regarding the usage of the knowledge learned during past fish farming training, I have decided to continue working with the cooperative to generate more revenue through fish farming in this community. To conclude, I’m asking other cooperative members to join me for us to work together and improve our individual lives to an appreciative level and be able to develop the community through DFP supported fish farming project.
Conclusion
It is never totally bad to fail, but it’s important that people will learn something from their failures so that they don’t keep on failing. When people are able to identify where and why they fail, it gives a better understanding of how to redo the same thing in a different way to avoid the same mistake. WECMACOS saw a very poor first fish harvest after they had labored and waited for a successful harvest for nearly three years; they broke down in frustration and nearly gave up the venture, because it was truly devastating; however, they realized that theft is the major thing they need to fight strongly if they are to succeed in their fish farming business. Although they know that fighting theft is a challenge, they believe they can succeed if they unite and work together.
Front photo: WECMACOS members are happy to harvest fish (by Diamonds for Peace)