Pictures Speak Louder than Words

Comparing our growth over the past year reminds us of how far we have come, and where we would like to go.

For my birthday on the 11^th of January, I received my annual singing call from my grandparents. After 27 of these I look forward to them every year. I would go as far to say that my birthday does not feel complete without it! The traditional happy birthday complete with high pitched sound effects was then complimented by a few minutes of reminiscing about what a wonderful child I was; my grandma also added, “and Rebecca, you are such a wonderful writer!” She proceeded to tell me that she loves reading this blog; and that it has been so long since I blogged that she now spends her time rereading the same posts over and over again. “Rebecca, it is getting a bit boring. Can’t you give your grandmother some new material?!”

So with much pestering from my husband and a loving plea from my grandmother, I have finally sat down to write to you all. So much has happened since our last blog that I honestly am not sure what to write. How do I put three months worth of trials and tribulations, failures and success, and a never ending learning experience into words. So instead I have decided to turn this blog post into a photo essay detailing the progress, changes, and challenges the farm, the GAIN girls, and Eric and I have faced in the time since our last post.

Enjoy!

Where training the passion fruit to grow upwards on trellises was important, pruning and maintenance has now become the daily task at the farm.

In November, KadAfrica was nominated for a Young Achievers Award Uganda in the Farming and Agro-Processing category. #YAA2013

The GAIN girls gather to discuss their experiences at a quarterly meeting in December.

A GAIN girls stands proudly with her passion fruit. It has been so long since our last post that the GAIN gardens have started bearing fruit.

A GAIN girl stands proudly with her passion fruit. It has been so long since our last post that the GAIN gardens have started bearing fruit.

With fruit already on the vine, the GAIN gardens in Kyarosozi Parish can look to begin harvesting this February.

At the Young Achievers Awards Ceremony on December 19, 2013 at the Serena Hotel.

We won!

A cold and cloudy rainy season slowed down the ripening of fruit and meant that extensive pruning was needed to expose the fruits and flowers to sunshine.

A new year brings sunshine, growth, challenges and opportunities. KadAfrica has kicked off January in full swing, with two U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers and a new agronomist joining our team. To my amazing grandmother, I hope that these pictures will provide you with an update and enough entertainment until our next post. While it is not the longest or most detailed post, I think these pictures will speak louder than words.

A New Year and Another New Beginning

A picture speaks louder than words! The new look of the KadAfrica Estate reflects progress.

As 2013 begins, we start to realize how much work has occurred over this past three months; it has been tiring, frustrating, strenuous to say the least! Now the this first week of January comes to a close, I sit back and think to myself, “it has been well worth it.” Numerous events have taken place over the past few months that have—at times—made me question what we do here in Fort Portal. These past few days Becks and I have looked back at the year and recognized how far we have grown. Thank you to our families and friends who have shown relentless support as we embark upon another chapter of our journey.

On Wednesday as I approached the farm, I was gladly startled by a small gathering of women at the gate. When I got out of the car Joseph, one of our employees, approached me with words I have been longing to hear since we started the farm, “Sir these people are all here looking for jobs…”

Unfortunately we are not yet at a stage where we can hire every community member that wants a job, but it makes me think back to the time where I would struggle on a daily basis to get anyone to come and work at the farm. This heartwarming moment was quickly overshadowed when I noticed that some of the ladies who work in the field had stopped and had begun to walk in my direction singing a song. I quickly turned to Joseph and asked him to clarify this interesting show. He explained that they were blessing me for the work that I have provided them with over the past few months. These women thanked me for the end-of-the year gift of a goat and for enabling them to enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a New Year with their families. It was one of the most glorious moments of the festive season; it dawned on me that KadAfrica is really beginning to have an impact on the local community.

Going into the New Year with our new(ish) farm manager, Alfred. Eric refers to him as Dr. Green Thumb!

Going into the New Year with our new(ish) farm manager, Alfred. My personal nickname for him… Dr. Green Thumb!

Knowing that we cannot provide job opportunities for everyone that approaches, we have been afforded the opportunity to further develop KadAfrica’s model. In lieu of employment we provided each of these job seekers with a handful of passion seedlings so that they can return home to begin their own income-generating plantation. Alfred, our farm manager, explained to the women that they are welcome on the property anytime for instructional demonstrations. Involving the local community as trainees and out growers allows everyone bulked marketing and provides these subsistence-farmers the opportunity to diversify into horticulture for increased incomes. Moments like this come once in a while, but we are learning on a daily basis that large-scale change takes place slowly and with humble beginnings. The fact that it has taken us this long to get here is a true testament to the idea that, if at first you don’t succeed, pick yourself up and try again.

Not only has my realization of change settled in, but also over the past twenty-four hours companies in three different countries have contacted KadAfrica to establish an export partnership. While I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch, with any luck there will be a blog about that soon enough! 2013 has already been one of positive change; I hope moments like these will be plentiful this new year…

Happy New Year to you all!

Enjoying a moment and a mutual feeling of accomplishment.

Vote Now!

Rose, a local woman who works at the farm.

We have received such positive feedback from all of our readers; especially with regards to the photos on our blog. Please check out the links below and vote for Eric’s entries in the World Bank’s Picture Inequality Photo Contest. And pass along to friends and family to encourage more votes!