Men's Small Group
Trinity Bible Church
YouFeedThem - World Food Day
The 'YouFeedThem and Alego (Kenya) Community Based Organization" hosting World Food Day 2009 on October 16, 2009:
Following is the email from our Engineer Bernard to Silas with the news on how things are progressing:
RE: WORLD FOOD DAY 2009 - SIAYA DISTRICT.
Dear Silas,
As you are aware, we were approached by the Ministry of Agriculture, Siaya to use our farm (You Feed Them-Yogo) as the venue on the 16th. Oct. to celebrate this year’s ‘World Food Day’, with a theme “Achieving food security in times of crisis”, which is also our overall objective .
We had a second meeting in preparation of the event on 23rd of September 2009, following a previous one on the 16th with stakeholders. This request came from the government after they attended our 1st Agricultural Field Day on the 9th September 2009. Following the days’ success, and overwhelming attendance, the Ministry was obviously impressed and asked immediately that the site be used as the venue of the celebrations.
This was a surprise to me as such a celebration has always been a national stadium event. The District Agricultural Officer told me that they chose the ‘YouFeedThem’ farm because of some reasons below among others:
• The farm’s all year round production plan and the fact that we are the only farm in production at this time of the year, matches the theme for this year’s WFD celebration “Achieving food security in times of crisis”
• The irrigation system technology we are using!
• It is the only farm in the district with fresh farm produce at this time of the year!
• The farm has the only greenhouse structure in the district!
• The Teamwork spirit demonstrated by the community in working in the farm!
• This is also the only organic farm in the district that is well organized!
• The idea of a planting program (staggered) that enables the farmer to have a produce year round!
• We have made so much impact within a very short period as you know that this is our second crop and is now attracting events like WFD. This always has been a day graced by top government officials.
Silas, I believe we are doing our best and that is why the impact of this project is spreading like bush fire, especially after the field day! we have been receiving groups from far and wide coming to learn from us. So far the WFD has already attracted over fifteen stakeholders, e.g Ministry of Agriculture, Millennium Development, KARI, Western Seed, Equity Bank, Kenya Women Finance Trust, among others. We are only going to exhibit what we practice in the farm while other stakeholders will take care of other expenses. I only wish that we had enough (optimum) land, a bore hole and more drip irrigation systems in place for this project to be self sustaining! We know you people are working round the clock to achieve our goal “theme” but it can’t be realized overnight. We are praying for our brothers and sisters in Canada to soldier on as we are making tangible progress even though with challenges!
Nb. The expected guests on the WFD are: The District Commissioner –Siaya, Alego Usonga MP. Hon. Edwin Inda, Prof. J. Oduol, DAO-Siaya among others.
Silas, I am also pleased to inform you that the Israel government through Millennium Dev. has requested to visit the same farm on 8th Oct. 2009. We are yet to get an official letter from M. Dev.
This is a pointer to the important direction this project is taking as it is already attracting wide attention.
It is almost becoming my full time occupation because of the attention it is attracting.
Kind regards,
Bernard.
