Sustainability is a word that gets thrown around a lot in our work and in a lot of non profit work, yet what it takes to get to that is often a challenge. In part, the Rescue Center will be sustainable based on our sister project of the farm here in Kisumu. This farm currently managed by our advocate Courtney is intended to feed the rescue center once the farm in itself can manage to be sustainable. As with many things, including the rescue center, and definitely with agriculture, there have been hurdles. So we took a visit by bus to Maai Mahiu, a region about 6 hours away to learn how to improve our farm.
(Courney's Shocked face at the site of freshly plucked garlic) Courtney, Erick, and I set out last friday without much insight into what we would learn, but with an open mind and a plethora of questions. Our friend, farmer, and town guide named Rocky turned out not only to be a champion farmer, but also a hardcore Manchester United fan, and an excellent mountain climber. We started the first day with a tour of the grounds including a meditation garden. The incredible thing is not just that Rocky's farm is sustainable and successfully growing local and traditional vegetables. He is also growing foods such as potato and garlic which are said to be unable to grow in this region. With a keen mindset on changing views about what is or is not possible, he is revolutionizing not only some of the farming techniques but also the mindsets.
With a farm half the size of our own, we are truly inspired at the vast possibilities that we can attain with strong management, long term planning, a step by step mentality, accurate documentation, and a primary goal of breaking even before thinking of surplus. Rocky spoke of farmers who would sell all their stock and remain without the ability to feed their family. The concept of going deep and not wide was reiterated and it's a concept integral to this work.
Rocky's work on drip kits and cost effective filtration systems are also models that we are transferring to our own farm and also our community. In addition, we plan to imitate his style of composting and maintaining quality and productive work days. He also spoke with us about a new idea that he is exploring of fostering worms among his crops.
Rocky's work on drip kits and cost effective filtration systems are also models that we are transferring to our own farm and also our community. In addition, we plan to imitate his style of composting and maintaining quality and productive work days. He also spoke with us about a new idea that he is exploring of fostering worms among his crops.
Whole Foods, yes Whole Foods in the states has donated a cafe here where I had the best cappuccino and pizza that I can speak of to date. In addition, we visited "L.I.F.E. Line" production site, where they mostly make bags and have been expanding to Maasai bracelets, change purses, wine bags, and other products. These products are sold at Whole Foods in the states and the money comes back here to support these mothers who all have a children with disabilities. I love to see that the partnership is truly an alliance, and that they only plan to expand and do more to help the mothers here.
A balance of work and play is necessary so we decided to climb Mount Longonot. Mt. Longonot is an inactive volcano resulting in a cratered hollow center now covered by various plants and trees. While some of us had doubts about our ability to get to the top, we already had the knowledge that everything is possible when we try. One step at a time was the only way to success and we made it to the top!
This trip was quite the adventure which left us invigorated and ready to go back to our projects. Sustainability for the Rescue Center is a long term vision, however currently we are finishing the pit latrines and starting our undercoat of paint. Next we are getting electricity in the pit latrines, finishing the undercoat and thinking about the cost of the perimeter fence. Estimates are quite costly