Dear friends, loyal helpers and supporters,
unfortunately I have sad news. The project, as it once was, has come to an end.
About a month ago, I convened the first meeting last one with the new committee to see if the are a bit more motivated now than the others, and will help to put the project back on its feet. The new committee has 7 members. For the first meeting appeared to 3. Only three. I rolled my eyes inwardly - that surely says it all. In an interview with the three people I tried to figure out what they really want from us for now, and from the project. They said we want the Lodge. I hooked a couple of times After they have shown so all getting very little interest in the lodge, so I asked, yes, but what you want, really, is a job, right? And if I now have a hotel or a factory here and put it on you does not matter because you just want a job, any? And they said, yes, yes, exactly. Well that was the end of the discussion. The project should be a "village" project, but the "village" as a unit has no interest - only individuals who have a job do have an interest, but they do not help build even have - wait for it to do is everything, and will be hired for a paid job (for which they are not qualified). So we are obviously not going anywhere. Therefore Aidan and I have decided to discontinue the exercise and the project as it was to dissolve. No more committees, no meetings, no more endless discussions and demands more. We are still in the area and we are still willing to work with individuals, but with no more bodies.
The money at the moment is still left on the Sobonana account is used for other projects or assistance. In Lubanzi it has a nursery, which desperately needs support, and another idea is to use the money for micro-loans. In Manzamnyama it has a few good people who have always helped with the project and have set themselves. One of them is Maxwell, Rufus older brother. Maxwell enjoys working with wood. We thought that if Maxwell establishes a business plan and now tells us what he needs for tools and materials, and how much it all costs, then we can give him a loan. He must then determine what it builds - eg tables and benches - and for how much he sold, and which he paid a certain percentage to the project to pay off the loan. Once everything is paid off, he owns the business, and the money is available again for the next borrower. In this sense, we only support individuals who have willingly and show initiative. I think to help an entire community works not ... there are so many things, dynamics within the village population, we do not understand. Much envy and Eiversucht, and the community approach us in the way: who must share. That is why no one wants to have more than the other - because he then anyway everything bad has to share with each bag. So why exert yourself? And therefore also the attitude of the villagers that we must give them everything simple: we obviously have more, so they expect us to be easy. Unfortunately, this works in today's so not ...
I would like on behalf of village projects Mpame thank you very sincerely thank all donors and all those who otherwise assisted in any way have. I am extremely sorry that I do not have better news. We have invested a lot of money and energy into this project, but it was not all wasted effort. Two years is a long time and we have learned a lot, made many acquaintances and friendships, much discussed and ideas exchanged, and planted many seeds. Although the fruit may ripen in a few years ago - it was worth it. The village elders are still from another era, and they blokieren progress. But the young generation that is growing now, asks many questions and has a critical eye. And we're still there - we do not go away, we keep at it, and we continue to help wherever we can. The most important thing is education, and education, and this is certainly my next project: set up a study group, and introduce better training methods. At some point next year.
During the last few months, Aidan and I all our energy into the remodeling of our Backpackers (Hostel) plugged in, and now in December, comes the first season. Next year we should be able to live off the income of the backpackers, and still have enough extra to continue to invest in several small projects.
your generous donations have helped provide infrastructure on the first legs and many tools and materials Now, which continue to be used for good purposes. We have thus created a basis on which we can now build without additional foreign aid.
In this sense, can you cancel your monthly payments now. It was always our idea of raising a self-sustaining project to introduce a system that is not dependent on donations. I think we can take this step now.
In the next few weeks, I will adapt and extend the Mpame site so that other projects will be supported. Donations are still welcome - either to use them for micro-loans, or just for the nursery operate in Lubanzi, or for the purchase of native plants and trees for reforestation, or much more - we have thousands of ideas, how to improve the current situation. We remain actively engaged in the nature and the environment and the people who support us and would like to continue, you're very welcome to do so. Oh, and come visit us in South Africa! :-)
I am currently in Switzerland, by the end of February. As of March I will continue with this blog again from time to time, and keep you on the general happenings in Lubanzi Mpame and up to date. Until then - happy holidays and a happy New Year!
Sincerely, Rachel
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