YES - NOW FULLY FUNDED!

We are so happy to announce that the funding goal has now been reached. The project grant will be tranferred and we will look forward to follow the progress on the construction of the chicken farm over the following months. Thank you all for making this possible.

What issues does this project address?

Mkwaja is a traditional fishing village on the coast of the Indian Ocean in Pangani District. Fishing has traditionally dominated as a livelihood activity supplemented by coconut and cashew nut harvesting along with other subsistence agriculture crops. These traditional subsistence activities have been drastically diminished in recent years in part because of environmental conditions and in part because of the establishment of a national park immediately adjacent to the village – indeed taking some village land in the process. Saadani National Park has also taken over, for protection purposes, an island and reef complex that was a critical fishing area for villagers. In addition the creation of the park, with its wildlife protection policies, has increased the populations of animals in the area which have become increasingly problematic – especially elephants, monkeys and baboons which impact the coconut and cashew trees. Mkwaja residents are struggling to find alternative livelihood activities that can be sustained alongside the changing conditions facing their community.

What is proposed to address the issue?

A community research committee was set up with the support of the Kesho Trust and has documented the challenges facing the community especially as a result of the implementation of the national park. The committee recommended finding alternative sources of basic food production for local people. One such alternative is the development of a chicken rearing enterprise which would improve the quality and production of locally managed food sources.

This project is aimed at establishing the necessary management policies and structures as well as constructing and stocking a rearing facility where chickens can be raised in a protected environment on a sustainable basis. The sale of matured chickens can produce the income to maintain the facility. The committee has developed the plans and business concept with the support of Kesho Trust staff.

Project Goal: to establish a sustainable chicken farming operation in Mkwaja as an alternative food source for members of the community.

Project Implementation Activities

Phase 1:
• develop a business plan outlining the construction and operating cost requirements for establishing the facility, the available market, potential revenue, use and distribution of profits and the management requirements
• establish the necessary management systems to run the operation including bank account and bookkeeping systems

Phase 2:
• undertake basic training on proper management of the farm/business - two team members will attend a training program in Dar es Salaam to learn more about chickens, especially the broilers, including their dietary and shelter requirements, life spans, and egg laying information

Phase 3:
• design and build an appropriate facility – ensuring a range area protected by wire mesh and an adjacent enclosed sheltered area
• purchase chickens and necessary supplies to operate the facility
• operate the facility
• prepare regular reports on progress

Throughout the implementation of the project and to ensure its effective management, the committee members will have leaders in place to coordinate all important activities and to keep records of everything they do. Three key people responsible will be:
• a chairperson: responsible to supervise all day-to-day activities regarding to the management of the project;
• a secretary: responsible for taking and keeping records of all activities to be undertaken as part of the project; and,
• a treasurer: responsible for keeping all the financial records to ensure transparency on all financial related matters.

Schedule

The schedule for the project is straightforward. However, there are some constraints imposed by priority activities within the community that would prevent the project from being implemented in certain months of the year, especially February through April. Beyond this seasonal commitment, conditions in the village and the availability of people to carry out the work would be possible.
 

Projected Cost

The budget required for the project is being shared among Help Every Day, the Kesho Trust and the community committee itself. The contribution from Help Every Day is requested to be $3,287.