Appeal updates

CHICKEN BREEDING PROJECT  -  PROGRESS REPORT AT 4^TH OCT 2008

At last, after many delays due to the rains in April and May and the decision to make bricks with mud in the traditional style of the local buildings, (rather than cement that had become very expensive), the kibanda for the chickens is almost ready.
The latest delay has been due to the difficulty in securing some wood locally to finish the roof structure, adding another month onto the building work. Logistics are the most difficult part of the project at the moment, not only in terms of transport, but also in rallying the men needed for building and travelling to Singida to order and then collect materials at the right time. Many other urgencies always take priorities. But with the help of a volunteer, Jane Davis from Australia, who has been fully involved with the project in Ilongero since early September, the traditional unhurried pace of work has been somewhat disturbed and the men have committed to finish the two rooms initially needed, in time for the 100 chickens (layers and cocks) arriving on 18^th October, along with the feeders, cleaning equipment, vaccinations, etc.

In the meantime, the women have been busy practising their buying and selling skills and making good contacts. A 2 day training (7^th & 8^th Oct) has been organised for 4 of them, plus our volunteer, at VETA plus another 2 days (9^th & 10^th Oct) in the village with a trainer, Mr Dio Mutalemwa from VETA. Gloria Nkungu of RWDA will be present on 10^th onwards to start organising the group in terms of rotas, reporting and finalising the loan arrangements. She will then report to the kanga project on the money spent at that stage and work out the budget to see the project through to the first sale. The required money will then be handed to the group to manage. A contingency sum will be set aside by RWDA to cover any shortfalls or emergencies for the next 12 months.
Hereafter are extracts of Jane’s e-mails to the kanga project on how things are going.

“Well an exciting and dare I say productive week this week in little Ilongero. The women's group involved in the chicken buying and selling business are buying chickens locally and are just waiting to have enough to sell in Singida. For many of these women, this is the first time they have been involved in any kind of business or had the opportunity to make decisions that will effect their future. They are full of hope and energy and only really need the encouragement and a push in the right direction to succeed. We have met quite a few times over the past two weeks to further discuss and plan their business, discuss important business tactics and stress the need for teamwork. They have been given a loan of 100 000 Tsh (approx 100USD) to start with and at this moment are engaging in buying chickens and making a relationship with a buyer to secure good prices. We will meet regularly to assess their progress and smooth out any problems they encounter. This is meant as a good exercise in preparation for the next project……….”
……….“They are excited about the big project of chicken rearing, and especially after our little field trip on Friday. I took six members of the group (some could not make it due to family and religious duties) to the project I saw in Ntonge the week before. We rang ahead to ensure we were given the grand tour. The chicken rearing team in Ntonge were extremely helpful to say the least and there was much asking and answering of questions (most I missed as all was in Swahili) but I could tell through the language barrier, that they were interested and excited. I believe having a visual of what is possible makes dreams so much more achievable, especially for our women who have little view of life outside their village.
The group learnt the important steps of chicken rearing and the correct process from egg to mating and selling. The group also said that VETA comes to them to buy their chickens so in effect they have a guaranteed buyer who comes to them, saving them travel costs and the possibility of not getting the price needed to make a profit.
We have all materials bar the local timber to finish the chicken house and, 'if god wishes' (one of the favourite sayings here) they will be waiting for me when I return to Ilongero. So chickens hopefully will be ordered and in their new home before the end of October.”

Responding to our surprise on seeing the lay out of the kibanda, Jane wrote:

“Yes, the house, well it is strange but they have found a way to make it workable. The roof is iron sheets and the main room (cocks and hens) has three windows with chicken wire for ventilation and light and will have iron sheet shutters for the night time. During the day they have a feeding area and an ample yard for straching their legs and  hanging out and doing what chickens do. The other room is a bit more closed in but will be for the growing chickens up to four months. They will have access the the yard but not at the same time as the bigger ones. All rooms have doors and locks but the inside doors will be mainly mesh.”

Jane Davis was a gift from God at a time when Gloria was experiencing difficulties with getting to Singida as her daughter is in hospital with a bad dose of malaria. We are all grateful for her contribution. Not a mean feast for a lone volunteer with limited Swahili. She will be followed in January by Beth Temple, also from Australia. But for the long term, RWDA are making arrangements for a new permanent resident of Singida to be their representative and help out with this and other projects. Because, although RWDA’s board members do get involved on the ground, each in turn too, distance from Dar es Salaam, put extra pressure on them. Hereafter is another extract from Jane about RWDA’s commitment.

“Having Bonne Angelo and the car for two days was amazing. He is so helpful and motivated and has great ideas. I think between the two of us we managed to get much done. Poor man, he must have been so tired. And then had to get up at 4 this morning to go to work. So wonderful that he uses his time off to help the project.”

We are happy with the progress of the project, even if things don’t always happen at the speed we would hope. But, well, this is Tanzania. We are looking forward to the next few months as the breeding program proper gets underway and we will, of course, keep you fully updated with the progress.