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Micro-loans -
Microloans support the people’s right to something better
based on their own will and initiative. In our project the
micro-loan plan supports not only individuals and their ventures
but also creates income for our other projects creating a win
win situation for all. Currently, we are working with over
150 people who have been repaying their loans bi- and the results
have been encouraging and rewarding. People previously sitting
idle are active, helpless people now have hope, people’s
finances have increased, food security is greater, entrepreneurial
creativity is stimulated and self esteem is on the rise.
Kiss Project (Kids Into SchoolS) – is a way of
helping disadvantaged children return to school. Usually,
following
the death of parents,
children are adopted by extended family members. Unfortunately,
these families are often unable to cope with additional mouths
to feed and these orphans are used as domestic helpers instead
of being sent to school. The KISS PROJECT gives interest
free loans to families to pay for school fees and has enabled
dozens
of children to return to school.
Goats for Grannies – Communities
of vulnerable women caring for children are offered an
opportunity
to breed goats. They are trained in animal husbandry, they
build proper housing for the goats and organize themselves
in rotation to care for the animals. Goats provide manure
to
rehabilitate their soil's fertility and help in sustainable
income generation. 25 goats are loaned to 30 vulnerable
women who in turn return 30 goats from their breeding. These
goats
are then used to begin other Goats for Grannies Projects
for other communities of women in rural areas.
Project Pooh Bear - Because
of poor farming techniques, global warming, floods and deforestation,
the land is exhausted. As a result,
crop yields are abysmally low and food security is worsening.
Hunger
follows. Manure is an exceptional addition to an ailing
land and helps farmers improve crop quality and value.
Aid
for AIDS -
Ideally, a comprehensive care program is needed that includes
easy access to health care, supportive services and community
awareness to combat discrimination, ignorance and isolationism.
We have created a high protein supplement that can help patients
reconstitute their immune systems.
Spontaneous
Acts of Kindness [SAK] – We understand that charity cripples. We know that dumping
and running isn’t developing people, isn’t transferring
skills, promoting independence or self-reliance. We know and
discourage this, but it feels so good to break ranks rules
and regulations and it keeps the aid workers sane and humane.
With such misery around and the tediously slow pace of change
seen on the ground, quick fixes are breaths of fresh air. SAK
includes: Sewing really cool buttons on kids’ crappy
clothing. Beading bracelets, rings and necklaces and drawing
pictures. Photographing people and printing, framing and delivery
them, often times to people who have never seen their faces
before. Buying all there is to buy from women who carry their
goods on their backs along with their children wondering in
the streets in exchange for a meal. Knitting hats and blankets
and then draping them around shivering children. There is no
end to the possibilities of "SAK-ing."
Fuel Efficient Stove Construction-
Zambia has the second highest deforestation rate in
the world. Trees are cut down for charcoal production
which
is consumed
rapidly for people’s energy
needs. As land is being denuded, the soil is left unprotected and parched
by an unrelenting African sun. Soil erosion is real and
crop yields are abysmal.
As part of our commitment to stopping deforestation, we promote the construction
of fuel efficient stoves. They are made from easily accessible local materials
- mud, ant soil and ash. Everyone participating in our projects must commit
to building a fuel efficient stove.
Tree Planting -
Deforestation is a big problem in the
area so to encourage the planting of trees we make it a prerequisite
for a micro-loan.
Participants in the Loan Plan can buy saplings from us at
a subsidised price. Local children are given seeds, they
grow the saplings and we buy them back creating an income
to pay for school fees, shoes and books. We encourage the
planting of fruit trees e.g. Guava and lemon and the Miracle
Tree – Moringa. This is a fast-growing, drought-resistant
tree, which has the potential of building immune systems,
an important consideration in treating AIDS. The leaves are
edible and are highly nutritious.
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