PROGRESS ON SEPO FARM IN KAOMA, ZAMBIA
Infrastructure
Construction on the Farm began in late 2010 with the construction of the Watchman's home for he and his family. Our watchman has provided much of the critical labor and upkeep on the Farm, as well as protecting the property and its assets from potential predators and thieves. The watchman's home was completed in March of 2011 and was followed by the drilling of the all-important well in the center of the property, a project funded by generous donations and a one-time grant. The 2011 volunteer team then constructed the storage building and pit latrine for a Block making business during their July 2011 visit, and cleared land and set up a drip irrigation system for crops. Block Making The vast majority of construction in Kaoma utilizes hand-pressed concrete blocks and mortar. Thanks to generous donations through Zambia Build (our original nonprofit created to make the dream of Sepo Farm a reality), the Farm was able to purchase the tools and provide the space for concrete block production in April 2011. This hard-working industry has subsequently provided all of the blocks used to build all of the permanent structures on the farm from April to the present, and is ready to produce all of the concrete block necessary for our next big undertaking: the perimeter fence. Chicken Coop The 2011 volunteer team also constructed the permanent Chicken Coop during their visit, providing the permanent structure for chicks and chickens initially raised by our Project Manager with support from the watchman. Since its completion, our friends in Kaoma have been hard at work raising and selling chickens for both eggs and meat. The profits from these sales are being re-invested by purchasing more chickens, feed, and necessary medicines, as well as to pay the minimal income of the workers managing them. This is estimated to be an entirely self-sustaining business by the end of 2013, with profits not only allowing for maintenance and expansion of the business but also providing for the families of the workers. Irrigation and Crops In addition to those crops fed by our drip irrigation system in the designated planting fields, our local friends in Kaoma have also been hard at work planting and cultivating crops on the currently vacant land on the site. By increasing crops during the rainy season we were able to take advantage of that natural resource and maximize agricultural yields on the property. Sweet potatoes and corn have been the biggest crops so far, but tomatoes and a few other vegetables have helped to keep sales consistent and workers' families fed as well. The sale of these crops has also been used to pay the wages of the few additional workers periodically employed on the farm. This business is self-sustaining at its current size, but some additional start-up capital will be necessary in order to increase its size and diversity, including the expansion and improvement of the irrigation system and purchase of new varieties of starter seeds and plants. Project Managers Quarters With the recent completion of an additional home on Sepo Farm we now have our project manager living on the property to more directly manage the day to day operations of our projects. With this improved efficiency and oversight we hope to see more rapid and sustainable growth and the regular oversight will allow us to fully assess the pros and cons of each project with the hope of constant continued improvement and responsible use of donor funds. Orchard During a trip in 2017 Mike Amoroso (Founder) and Felix Mutale (Project Manager) met with local teachers and leaders from a nearby organization and in those talks it was realized that the strain on children due to being under nourished is a very real problem faced in the local schools. Many children will walk a number of miles to school every day and due to their families lack of income, these children often rely on one meal a day. This meal is typically at dinner time after the days work has been completed. These children are arriving at school completely depleted, only then expected to focus on their school work for the entire day. Our decision to plant a small orchard as a pilot project for possible future larger orchards is with the intent to harvest fresh fruit and deliver it to the local schools so that each child can arrive at school and have a fresh piece of fruit to start their day. It may not seem like much, but this could very well be the boost these children need to help them feel energized enough to focus on their studies and will encourage them to want to stay engaged in their classes which in turn will assist in more effective overall education not only benefiting each individual but the community as a whole. Training and Education As each industry on the farm continues to take root and grow thanks to the generosity of donors, the local workers tending each industry are gaining the vital skills to continue developing, maintaining, and improving their new livelihoods. We employ only local workers, and our local Project Manager oversees each of the farm's fledgling industries to ensure success. By combining local knowledge, skills, and traditions with applicable new technologies we are providing new and unmatched opportunities for workers and their families to learn, work, and succeed. Future Project Perimeter Fence It is a future goal to complete a perimeter fence around the farm. Currently there is a shared fence of concrete block along the back side of the property that backs up to a neighboring guest house business and a wood fence along one side of the property. It is a goal on the farm to have a solid concrete block fence around the entire property with open metal decorative pickets along the street side. We want folks to be able to pass by and see the work we are doing, but we also want to protect our investment from wild animals that can quickly destroy crops and trees as well as individuals with negative intentions that could steel valuable necessary tools and supplies. Stay tuned for future fundraising efforts to get this project started!! |