Context
Holili is a small Tanzanian town at the Kenyan border on the Moshi-Mombasa road. Like many similar towns in Tanzania, Holili suffers from a cluster of problems which hinder social progress. Such problems include: prolonged seasonal aridity. Although Holili is close to Kilimanjaro it is on the lowest slopes of the volcanic area. Thus, seasonal drought and unreliable rainfall make cultivation more difficult for the Chagga farmers, whose forefathers generally lived on the much higher slopes where rainfall is more reliable, there is widespread evidence of soil erosion that can be seen from the many ‘dongas’ which dissect this locality, much of the present vegetation is thorn scrub which is being modified by overgrazing of cattle and goats. Such vegetation is rapidly being cleared for cultivation by settlers moving into the locality in search of spare land, rapid population growth over recent decades means that there is a shortage of good farmland. It also means that there is high youth unemployment, such young people have usually had the benefit of at least primary education and are looking for waged work outside their family farm. There is need for income-generating activities to be established at Holili before the temptations of a border location and enforced idleness prove irresistible to many of the youth.
Holili also has some special advantages which may foster development. Three visits to the plot of land which the Apostles of Jesus have now [i.e. by 13th March 2007] purchased suggest the following benefits of that location: soil is sufficiently fertile to allow good harvests, provided there is sufficient rain, on both sides of this plot there are seasonal watercourses [‘dongas’] which initial surveys suggest offer the possibility of small dams and water storage. Such storage is unlikely to provide water throughout the year, but it is quite feasible to significantly reduce the period of water shortage, the site is close to the tarred Mombasa-Moshi-Arusha road so access is good for both potential trainees and for micro-enterprises operating from the site, the rapid growth of population and settlement of the area brings increased local demand for new business enterprises.
The prime limitation to the establishment of such a village workshop and skills-training centre near Holili is the initial capital investment needed to purchase and develop the site. Thus, this project report examines the possibilities of a co-funding partnership between Apostles of Jesus, Sustainable Global Gardens, and other interested parties.
Project Proposal
The origins of this project lie with the Apostles of Jesus, an East African Catholic missionary group, who wish to purchase land near Holili in order to establish a ‘village polytechnic’ there. The intention is that such a polytechnic will: provide skill-training for unemployed youth. Such skills are likely to include carpentry, construction, welding & basic metalwork. provide income-generating employment for at least some of the trainees, provide workshop and environmental services in a rural locality undergoing rapid settlement. In January 2007 the services which would be available in the future was under discussion, with no firm decisions yet made. Such services are likely to include oil press for sunflower, posho mill, water-pumping for irrigation, water-harvesting.
This project is still in its initial stages of planning, because progress is largely dependent upon the generosity of external donors. Progress will take place in response to funds being released. However, the initial plan is as follows: the purchase a suitable plot of land of 4 hectares [10 acres] in early 2007, the construction of a crude thorn fence around the site to discourage wandering goats and cattle.
the clearing, ploughing and planting of at least part of the plot before the April long rains of 2007, so that some income can be derived in 2007. This income is needed to provide funds for the purchase of equipment of the centre, the construction of a temporary shelter by April 2007 so that the site and crops can be guarded while initial development takes place. If funds become immediately available, it should be possible to proceed to the next stage without losing money on a temporary construction, as soon as funds allow, the temporary shelter will be replaced by a permanent building which will be both accommodation for a resident worker and a store for equipment. It is intended to complete the construction of this building by July 2007, as soon as funds allow, the original thorn barrier will be replaced by a barbed wire fence, which will itself be reinforced by the planting of a living fence. It is hoped that this work will be done during the dry season in the latter half of 2007,
most of this site contains dense thorn bush so clearance will continue throughout 2007. The plan is to grow crops over the whole site during the rains between November 2007 and May 2008, after the 2008 harvest there should be sufficient income to start the purchase and hiring of agricultural machinery appropriate to this locality. The first machine is likely to be an oil-press as sunflower is a popular crop in the vicinity, by 2010 it is intended that there are several tools and machines available for hire, by 2012 it is hoped that the village polytechnic will be sufficiently equipped to offer training course for local unemployed youths. The Apostles of Jesus intend that there is a self-sustaining village polytechnic in operation at Holili within 10 years of the start of this project.
Progress so far
The first visit by Sustainable Global Gardens [SGG] to the Holili site took place on 8th January 2007. After a two hour reconnaissance of the area, it was decided to go ahead with the purchase. At that time the Apostles of Jesus had sufficient funds to purchase the site, but insufficient to clear and develop it. Thus, it was proposed that St Edwards Parish Justice & Peace Group, Whitley Bay be invited to contribute £400 so that the plot could be developed in the hope of obtaining a harvest & some income in 2007.
Fr Paul and Fr Priscus of the Apostles of Jesus survey the plot at Holili which they wish to purchase
The ground can be better used: this is Fr Peter and Fr Priscus in the neighbouring field
A second visit to the site was made 6th February 2007. There had been considerable clearance of the thorn bush. By this date £400 had been received from St Edwards Justice & Peace Group, so the decision was made to press ahead with the clearance in the hope that there could be planting and a harvest on at least part of the plot. The plot was also surveyed, and Sustainable global Gardens proposed that a slightly larger site of approximately 6 hectares [16 acres] be requested from the registration authorities.
A third visit to the site was made on 13th March. Work on clearance & uprooting thorn bushes is continuing. It is anticipated that it will be possible to plough and plant on a small portion of the land, although this is by no means certain as heavy rains are expected in the next week or so. Sustainable global Gardens finances now allow a further £400 to be invested to enable the start of the construction of a permanent building onsite. Sustainable Global Gardens agreed to seek further funding from other sources so that this year’s development plans can be implemented.
Ben is working hard to clear thorn bush before the plot can be ploughed and planted during the April long rains
A fourth visit was made to Holili on 28th March. This visit established that the work of clearing the thorn bush had proved far too arduous for the men employed to clear. It was thus agreed that clearing of the whole plot should continue and be completed before the short rains due in November. Nevertheless, sufficient ground had been cleared for ploughing to commence, so after some rain the previous night the tractor ploughed approximately 4 acres on this day. Both Fr Paul who manages the project and Sustainable Global Gardens were extremely pleased with progress so far, although how successful the project will be this year largely depends on the March-May rains.
Part of the plot has been cleared for ploughing. If the rains come, planting will start next week
During this fourth visit there was some concern about the lateness of the rains, which are normally expected to begin about 15th March. Nevertheless Fr Paul intended to plant a combination of maize, beans and sunflower on the ploughed area, so he will also need to build a temporary shelter on the plot for one of the workers. It is hoped that a more permanent construction can be built before the end of 2007 to provide both a permanent home and a place to keep machines and tools useful to the surrounding farming community.
It should be remembered that the Apostles of Jesus had sufficient funds to pay 3 million shillings for this site. This leaves an estimated 4,842,600 shillings to complete the work of 2007. The exchange rate fluctuates around 2,500 shillings/pound sterling, so there is approximately £2,000 funding to be secured. At the time of writing [14th April], St Edwards Justice and Peace Group, Whitley Bay have contributed £400. A further £400 has been donated by Sustainable Global Gardens, so the shortage of funds is now approximately £1200.
PS
In July 2007 another SGG Director had the opportunity to visit Holili. By that time a further area of bush had been cleared and ploughed, and sunflowers had been planted on the new ground. The sunflowers produced an adequate yield, but the rainy season was too poor to produce a good harvest. Nevertheless, Sustainable Global Gardens wishes to continue investment in this project, which in the future when the village polytechnic is established will not be so dependent on seasonal rainfall. By late 2007 SGG has managed to raise a further £1000 which will be invested in further development in early 2008. We shall need to raise at least £1000 annually for the next few years if this Holili project is going to be of lasting benefit to the local community.