Farm project, Dondo

The Dondo Farm project is aimed at feeding widows and orphans who live with extended family in the Sofala Province of Mozambique.

The Farm Project succeeds the Orphans Feeding Programme, run by Iris Ministries for the past 3 years. The Feeding Programme was only able to reach each  district every one or two years and it encouraged dependency in the families receiving help. In addition it was labour intensive and dependent on enormous cash inflow. The government of Mozambique prefers sustainable aid to be given to people in need. A food distribution programme for the whole Sofala Province would cost over $200,00 USD per year and one district would be over $8,000 per year.

The aim is to set up farms in the Sofala Province at an expected cost of $1,000 USD per farm, each of which would be locally run and supported by Julie Davis and Franke, from Iris Ministries in Dondo.

The Farm Project promotes work ethic and responsibility. When people expect a handout, they tend to lose motivation to work, but when they are given opportunities to work they learn how to care  and provide for themselves and their families better.

Land will be purchased for the communities to cultivate, seeds and tools will be provided. Families caring for orphans and widows will provide the labour and receive food in return. Each farm will yield a harvest at least twice a year to provide food for the orphans and widows.

After the initial purchase of the land, tools and seed, each farm will be self sustaining.

The first farm has been set up. Seeds were sown in October 2009 and the first crops were harvested in January 2010.

More pictures coming soon!

who.

The Farm Project is overseen by Julie Davis from Iris Ministries in Dondo. Franke who is Mozambican co-leads with Julie.