This morning we met with an association of farmers within the Kigeme Parish who are part of the Food Security Program. Here are some exciting snipets from that meeting that we want to share with all our supporters as we were very excited by what was happening and know you will be as well.
The group is named the ‘Working Hard’ Association and it has 28 members . They are organized with a leading committee (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) as well as a monitoring committee for accountability purposes. Feedback from the Food Security Team tells us this is a well run committee. Our Kigeme Paravet, Felicien, works closely with this group, as a member and an advisor.
When any association enters into a contract with the Food Security Program, they are required to sign a contract. The association is given 25 kg of maize seeds (1 kg is approximately 1000 FRW*). The money to purchase these seeds was supplied by the generous supporters of the Udder Project. At harvest time, the association is expected to give a percentage of the yield back to Food Security. This is one of the ways we will achieve self- sustainability of the project.
This association had very good maize production from the seeds given. With the harvest, they were able to:
- Pay back to Food Security – 22,800 FRW*
- with the remaining, they consulted the Food Security Agronomist, Emmanuel, and on his advice they gave him 60,000 to buy seeds for Irish potatoes – these have been planted, and they will get a harvest in August.
- The balance remaining they have put into their account, and will purchase piglets, they will choose members who have the knowledge to raise pigs to keep them on behalf of the association. They will use the manure for fertilizers, and as the pigs have more piglets, these will go to other members. Eventually they hope all association members will have pigs.
* $ 1 Canadian dollar= 540 FRW
The group is named the ‘Working Hard’ Association and it has 28 members . They are organized with a leading committee (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) as well as a monitoring committee for accountability purposes. Feedback from the Food Security Team tells us this is a well run committee. Our Kigeme Paravet, Felicien, works closely with this group, as a member and an advisor.
When any association enters into a contract with the Food Security Program, they are required to sign a contract. The association is given 25 kg of maize seeds (1 kg is approximately 1000 FRW*). The money to purchase these seeds was supplied by the generous supporters of the Udder Project. At harvest time, the association is expected to give a percentage of the yield back to Food Security. This is one of the ways we will achieve self- sustainability of the project.
This association had very good maize production from the seeds given. With the harvest, they were able to:
- Pay back to Food Security – 22,800 FRW*
- with the remaining, they consulted the Food Security Agronomist, Emmanuel, and on his advice they gave him 60,000 to buy seeds for Irish potatoes – these have been planted, and they will get a harvest in August.
- The balance remaining they have put into their account, and will purchase piglets, they will choose members who have the knowledge to raise pigs to keep them on behalf of the association. They will use the manure for fertilizers, and as the pigs have more piglets, these will go to other members. Eventually they hope all association members will have pigs.
* $ 1 Canadian dollar= 540 FRW
 Dancing at the end to show their appreciation and excitement! |  A dancing veterinarian!! |
 | After the teaching we were taken to visit four of the farms of association members. Down and up very large hills!!! This is a cheeky cow from one of the farms! We are seeing some good improvement in livestock management in this area. The association is very excited about the things they are doing and the things they are learning from Food Security. |
After lunch we went for a good long walk (avoiding the hills - stuck to the road!) We met lots of friends and saw some beautiful scenery. When we returned through town we stopped at a friends shop and bought a couple packages of biscuits from him. Then we were accosted by a band of hooligans and had to give up a package! :)
In Kigeme, most families do all their cooking outside over fires. Here are a couple of examples for interest sake!!
 At our house (don't worry, Dad, I am not playing with fire!) |  At one of the farms we visited today |
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