Marimba Self Sustaining Farm Project

This project is now complete and BeKids would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who supported us in developing this project.

Assessment Focus:

* Increased environmental awareness and social improvement for the community.
* Self-subsistence for the Marimba Orphanage. (Principal support by AFGL, Singapore)
* Possible Income creation for the Marimba community.
* Vocational opportunity for orphans at the Marimba Orphanage. (Principal support by AFGL, Singapore)

Location and Description
From October 2006 to February 2007, BE KIDS volunteers, Tamara and Joe O’Keeffe, worked with the Marimba community to establish a farming program. The project offered self-subsistence to the children at the Marimba orphanage that under construction. It also offered an opportunity for the local community to diversify their cash crops beyond tea.

Tamara, an environmental and soil scientist, and Joe, a carpenter and joiner, previously worked in Kangeta and at Marimba experimenting with cultivation techniques and running a vocational training program for young men. Having previously volunteered in Mozambique, Tamara was experienced working on this type of community project.

The orphanage is now operating and the farm project is being continued. The irrigation system that our volunteers working with the Marimba Community are much appreciated and still in use.

Time frame: Completed