UGANDA FARMERS, INC. USA CITIZENS IN SOLIDARITY WITH FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS IN UGANDA!

July, 2011 Volume 4, Issue 2

IN PROGRESS . . .
The Anatomy of Flowing Water in Rwesigiire Village
After one year of fund raising and getting the company on board to dig a bore hole and drill for water, the dream of the Rwesigiire Villagers has come truethey have water. Thanks to the efforts of Uganda Farmers Inc. donors and the persistence of Rev. Emmanuel Byaruhanga in overseeing the project on site, water in the village is a reality. In the photo to the right villagers stand with hope on their faces that water will be found. In the photo on the left, when water gushes forth the children are all smiles. It is they whose lives will be less troubling since they are the ones who fetch water for their families. No more long walks, no carrying the heavy cans filled with water. They will now be able to spend more daylight time doing homework and playing.

The first water to make it to the ground level..

Dust emerging from the bore hole in search for water.

Children who fetch water are thrilled at the prospect of having water in their own village.

Children and adults interested in the drilling.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL DONORS

At this writing, the finishing touches are being added to the project. The solar panel and wiring are being linked up to the generator and the pipes that will spread water around the village. The water tanks are being erected that will hold hundreds of gallons of water. To all who have devoted themselves to this project, I, as representative of the villagers, offer thanks. With the help of God and the guidance of Uganda Farmers Inc president Dan Marecki and 1st vice-president Jane Holler and all who work with them, this project is just about to change the lives of all the villagers of Rwesigiire. May God bless you and reward you! Rev Emmanuel Byaruhanga, from the village of Rwesigiire.
In the midst of the drilling team stands Fr. Emmanuel Byaruhanga, the water project originator.

IN PROGRESS . . . Page 2

Volume 4, Issue 2

KYEFA Positioning Itself in the World of Marketing and Self-Sustainability

Kyembogo Farmers Associations leadership team has been working to position itself towards self-sustainability over these past twelve years. The vision of its founder, Rev. George Muganyizi, CSC, is slowly becoming a reality. The association (KYEFA) was established in 1998 by farmers who saw the need to improve food security and household income. Their drive and vision along with Fr. Muganyizis USA donor contacts has grown the fledgling group from 30 original members to 2,100 members to date. The group is organized democratically with full participation in all decision-making. Through the collective efforts of members and donors, the group built a learning center to teach members updated methods of farming. They later bought 44 acres of land a part of which is a demonstration farm to learn organic farming practices. They purchased and distributed seeds and animals to members as well as a tractor which was made available to members to increase food productivity.

KYEFA FURTHERS ITS PLANS The KYEFA board has decided to scale up four major projects: 1) expanding the current pineapple gardens, 2) acquiring additional pineapple dryers; 3) developing further the goat and coffee projects. GOAT PROJECT

In January of 2011, KYEFA purchased 60 goats. In barely two months four goats produced six kids proving that goats multiply quickly; They produce twice a year and at times they have twins or triplets. The goal is to rear 1000 female, cross-bred goats. KYEFAs land can hold over 1,000 goats. If all factors remain conThey developed a micro-credit package in 2003 that allowed mem- stant, we will have over 3,000 goats in a year. bers to borrow money at a low interest rate. Using a conservative figure, each adolescent goats sells for $50; so $50 x 3,000 goats = In 2007 KYEFA became an NGO (Non-Governmental Organiza$150,000 a year.
tion with registration number S.5914/7275 In partnership with Brodlinkj Dalen and the Lewis Foundation KYEFA supplied 16 underground water tanks to farmers for home consumption. This improved hygiene, sanitation and irrigation.

COFFEE PROJECT

This new enterprise was established last year. So far weve planted three acres of coffee. In collaboration with World Education Inc/Bantwana Initiative and In each acre KYEFA expects to get 650 kgs of the Asante Foundation, KYEFA began a program to support fecoffee beans in each of two harvesting seasons; male caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children. It teaches and so 650 kgs x 3 acres x 2 seasons at $3 a kilo will guides caregivers as it generates income through agro-business equal $11,700 a year. Our goal is 10 acres so enterprises. This yields tangible results in food security, nutrition, that KYEFA will realize $39,000 a year. hygiene and hydration of families, animals, gardens.
KYEFA established a coffee project by using 3 acres of coffee plants. Another way to reach self-sustainability.

CURRENT PRODUCTIVITY Earned income to KYEFA as it has begun these plans is $5,000 annually. We are After KYEFA bought and distributed pineapple suckers to memgrateful to our donors who have helped us get bers, KYEFA installed two pineapple solar dryers to process the this far in our social development. Our goal is to pineapples grown by members. KYEFA buys back the pineapples achieve $120,000 per year. This would allow from the farmers at a fair trade price. After the product is sold to a KYEFA to continue to develop other farm famiretail store 20% of the profit is returned to the members who sold lies income, health care, provide clean water, their product to KYEFA. and help children and orphans meet basic needs In the next issue we will focus on the need for as food, school fees, health care, and shelter. clean water for 200 rural farm families who live in Our hope is that with your generous Ruhunga Village, Uganda. support, we can scale up the above mentioned To donate to this water project use Donation Card or go to projects and eventually reach our goal of selfwww.ugandafarmersinc.org (Via PayPal). sustainability. Rev. George Muganyisi, CSC