We're making some headway on the agricultural projects. The piggery and poultry buildings are almost complete (though construction is taking longer than expected) and we've gotten in touch with some pig suppliers. Next week we will be taking our veterinarian to visit a piggery project in Luwero. If the piglets available for sale get a clean bill of health, we will purchase 30-40 piglets and transport them back to Busia. If we aren't satisfied with the quality of the piglets in Luwero, we will head to another piggery project in Kumi that was recommended to us.
We will be placing an order for 500 chicks tomorrow--they should arrive in a couple weeks.
We're still researching options for purchasing cattle. We still have a couple months before we can actually move in the cows since we have to wait for our grass (cow-feed) to grow.
We've secured approximately 10 acres of land for the sweet potato farm and we've started preparing it for the coming rains. Our target is 15 acres, but we have to move quickly since the rains are coming. It's key to have the land fully prepared (cleared and plowed) when the rainy season begins. Once the rains come, we will plant immediately to maximize the harvest. This is easier said than done since the rains in recent seasons have been erratic at best. Timing is key and very difficult to do well.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Agricultural project underway
We started digging the foundations for the piggery and poultry house (chicken coop) yesterday! We've been working with a local veterinarian and engineer to come up with building designs and pick out a site. All the agricultural structures will be located within new hope's compound--there's a lot of unused space currently. Construction should take a couple weeks--then we move in the piglets and chicks!
We're planting grass for the cattle next week. We'll start construction on the cow shed in a couple weeks as well. We've been advised to wait until the grass has grown (a few months) before purchasing the cows. We plan on practicing zero-grazing, which basically means we grow grass on a separate farm (a few miles from new hope) and then harvest that grass periodically and bring it to the cow shed for the animals to eat. By keeping the cows in a relatively confined space, we limit their exposure to diseases. Plus with nearly 5 acres of land devoted to growing grass, we should have plenty of feed for the cows.
We're planting grass for the cattle next week. We'll start construction on the cow shed in a couple weeks as well. We've been advised to wait until the grass has grown (a few months) before purchasing the cows. We plan on practicing zero-grazing, which basically means we grow grass on a separate farm (a few miles from new hope) and then harvest that grass periodically and bring it to the cow shed for the animals to eat. By keeping the cows in a relatively confined space, we limit their exposure to diseases. Plus with nearly 5 acres of land devoted to growing grass, we should have plenty of feed for the cows.
Open for Business
The computer school is officially up and running. We finished the final networking issue a few hours ago...and within minutes customers were lining up for the cafe. We're already training some students in computer skills and we're hoping to have more soon.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Computer school online!
After a couple weeks of wrangling with Uganda Telecom, the computer school is finally connected to the internet via adsl! We still have a bit more networking and setup to do, but we should be open for business by tomorrow.
Martha, Scott and Maggie Pavao, three New Hope volunteers from the US, did an excellent job in setting up the computer school during their time in Busia. As of now we have 13 computers hooked up--7 for the internet cafe, 5 for the computer training programs, and the manager's computer.
The staff and children at New Hope were absolutely thrilled to receive this computer school. Many Ugandans graduate from college without ever learning how to use a computer, so naturally the orphans and vulnerable children at New Hope are beyond excited to begin using these machines at such a young age.
I'm very excited for the next few weeks as the internet cafe opens for business. It was difficult to have to turn away so many potential customers in the past couple weeks as we waited for Uganda Telecom to repair our internet connection, but demand for internet access is huge--we shouldn't have any problem finding new customers. This is a crucial income-generating project for New Hope. If all goes well, the cafe could bring in enough income to fund at least 10-20% of New Hope's yearly budget.
Pictures coming soon!
Martha, Scott and Maggie Pavao, three New Hope volunteers from the US, did an excellent job in setting up the computer school during their time in Busia. As of now we have 13 computers hooked up--7 for the internet cafe, 5 for the computer training programs, and the manager's computer.
The staff and children at New Hope were absolutely thrilled to receive this computer school. Many Ugandans graduate from college without ever learning how to use a computer, so naturally the orphans and vulnerable children at New Hope are beyond excited to begin using these machines at such a young age.
I'm very excited for the next few weeks as the internet cafe opens for business. It was difficult to have to turn away so many potential customers in the past couple weeks as we waited for Uganda Telecom to repair our internet connection, but demand for internet access is huge--we shouldn't have any problem finding new customers. This is a crucial income-generating project for New Hope. If all goes well, the cafe could bring in enough income to fund at least 10-20% of New Hope's yearly budget.
Pictures coming soon!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Goals for Summer 2009
This summer we are planning to establish a vocational school that will train members of the Busia community in computer and tailoring skills. The school will also serve as an internet cafe that will expand internet access in Busia while at the same time generating income to support the children under New Hope's care.
We will also be expanding New Hope's agricultural project with several cows and additional farmland for the production of crops like co
rn, beans and potatoes.
We are also researching the possibility of purchasing a large truck that will serve as a source of income for New Hope Africa
Children Ministries. New Hope is located in Busia, a border town that straddles the Ugandan-Kenyan border and is a major commercial center. A truck would be a very valuable asset since it could be rented out to local traders and used to generate a steady stream of income for New Hope.
The vision behind these projects is to make New Hope financially self-sufficient. Ever since it was founded in 2003, New Hope Africa Children Ministries has been plagued by underfunding. As a small, grassroots NGO run entirely by Ugandans, New Hope is entirely dependent on donations from abroad. If the Friends of New Hope Foundation were for some reason unable to raise enough funds in any given year (because of, say, a severe economic crisis), then the kids at New Hope would suffer--inadequate diet, no money for books or school fees or doctor visits...the list goes on. By funding and implementing income-generating activities, The Friends of New Hope Foundation seeks to provide long-term financial security for New Hope and the children under its care. In time, New Hope will no longer be entirely dependent on foreign aid. This is perhaps part of the
bigger picture of what needs to happen in Africa--less dependence on Westerners and more empowerm
ent of Africans.
Furthermore, implementing income-generating activities is a far more efficient use of donor funds than simply underwriting operating costs. Forgive the cliche, but it's analogous to teaching a man to fish instead of giving him one everyday.
We will also be expanding New Hope's agricultural project with several cows and additional farmland for the production of crops like co
rn, beans and potatoes.We are also researching the possibility of purchasing a large truck that will serve as a source of income for New Hope Africa
Children Ministries. New Hope is located in Busia, a border town that straddles the Ugandan-Kenyan border and is a major commercial center. A truck would be a very valuable asset since it could be rented out to local traders and used to generate a steady stream of income for New Hope.The vision behind these projects is to make New Hope financially self-sufficient. Ever since it was founded in 2003, New Hope Africa Children Ministries has been plagued by underfunding. As a small, grassroots NGO run entirely by Ugandans, New Hope is entirely dependent on donations from abroad. If the Friends of New Hope Foundation were for some reason unable to raise enough funds in any given year (because of, say, a severe economic crisis), then the kids at New Hope would suffer--inadequate diet, no money for books or school fees or doctor visits...the list goes on. By funding and implementing income-generating activities, The Friends of New Hope Foundation seeks to provide long-term financial security for New Hope and the children under its care. In time, New Hope will no longer be entirely dependent on foreign aid. This is perhaps part of the
bigger picture of what needs to happen in Africa--less dependence on Westerners and more empowerm
ent of Africans.Furthermore, implementing income-generating activities is a far more efficient use of donor funds than simply underwriting operating costs. Forgive the cliche, but it's analogous to teaching a man to fish instead of giving him one everyday.
Introduction to the Friends of New Hope Foundation
The Friends of New Hope Foundation exists to support orphans and vulnerable in Africa by providing financial and technical support to community-based organizations that directly serve the children in need. Since January 2008, the foundation has supported New Hope Africa Children Ministries, a grassroots Christian charity that provides food, shelter, education and access to health care for orphans and vulnerable children in Busia, Uganda. In addition to providing nearly 90% of New Hope's operating budget in 2008 and 2009, the foundation has worked with New Hope to establish a 5 acre garden and primary school. None of this would be possible without the support of our generous donors. On behalf of the children at New Hope, webale nnyo! (Thank you!)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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