The Mustard Seed Project Continues to Grow

It is 6 months since we first reported on The Mustard Seed Project a charity set up by Market Deeping couple Rita and

Geoff Fowler to help a small urban slum community in Mombasa Kenya to move out of poverty and deprivation through empowerment and capacity building.

This is not aid but giving the people the belief that they can improve their lives by their own efforts.

What has been happening?  Rita and Geoff returned to Mgongeni in September.  Their small staff had kept the projects moving.  Even better was the change in people’s attitudes.  The demoralised ‘We can do nothing’ belief had changed to ‘We can do It- we can change if we are united and work hard.’  People wanted action and were prepared to take responsibility.  Some were still sceptical but they were ignored.

Life has been very difficult for the poorest people in Kenya.    There has been a drought for two years, many food crops have failed, the animals are dying, people are starving and food prices had rocketed.  Within the village water supplies dry up for several days each week.  The people are used to hardships, they keep smiling and trying which is why they deserve your help and support.

Having built people’s expectations it was essential to have projects on the ground, things happening that were visible.

,It is a divergent community and for the project to work everyone has to feel included.

• Meetings were held with the community, the Elders, the women and the youth to identify their major concerns. Each group listed their priorities so that the immediate needs could be identified.
• To save time Rita, an ex-teacher looked after education whilst Geoff concentrated on micro-businesses and the community.
• Rita started a new infant school for the poorest, children. Demand was high and many needy children had to be turn away. The Elders are desperately searching for much larger premises.
• Women are the key to the future., They are responsible for the family but many have been abused, abandoned and left destitute.
• Mustard Seed is running a pilot programme for 200 women and youth to teach them income generation and how to run their own micro-businesses. This will cut the 70% unemployment and give the women independence.
• There will be micro-finance to provide small loans to fund the new businesses. The groups will be responsible for their loans and for repayments.
• Shortage of fresh water is the biggest problem for the community. In the next two weeks Mustard Seed will start to dig a new well, funded by Star4Africa.. It will be run as a small community business by a group of women that will be responsible for maintenance, servicing and ensuring it is sustainable.
• The Youth were told that if they find a suitable building and fit it out properly then Mustard Seed will provide 10 computers and a printer so that everyone can become computer literate.. This will be completed in a month.
• After a lot of effort Rita and Geoff were able to meet with one of the richest and most respected families in Mombasa who own almost all the land in Mgongeni. They are now keen to help and have identified a suitable plot of land to build a school and workshops. The price has yet to be agreed but they have been assured that it will be affordable and they will be able to pay over an extended period.
• If money is available building can start in the New Year with the first phase completed for the start of the summer term. (They need £14000 to build 3 classrooms plus toilets).
• Following 40 years of neglect the basic amenities have crashed. Sanitation, water, health, environment, disease, flooding housing, are dire. Geoff took member of the CBO to meet the Chief Municipal Engineer of Mombasa to ask for action and investment.
• As expected he had no money but did agree to provide technical and professional expertise to start identifying affordable solutions. He also offered to introduce the CBO to all the heads of departments so that they could make an holistic approach.
• Rita had a successful a meeting with the chief education officer who advised on many aspects of setting up a successful school and what the authority would demand to meet the government’s many criteria. He promised the continued support of his department to resolve any problems quickly and to help us achieve registration.

Having worked almost every day Rita and Geoff arrived home exhausted but  veryhappy with all they had achieved.  There is no rest because it is back to planning and fund raising.

Thanks to the schools, local organisations and individuals in the Deepings and the villages that are helping but they need more sponsors, donations and volunteers. Help with Fund raising would be great and every penny makes a difference.  The money goes directly to the village there are no costs in the UK.

Please look at the website www.mustardseedproject.co.uk,

Email geoff@mustardseedproject.co.uk or telephone 348696 or 341855  to learn more.

Please give them your support this will make a great local charity for our community.

Mustard Seed are launching a 100 club so if you wish to join and have the opportunity to win a large sum of money please telephone.

Costs

Immediate Capital Costs Required

Current Revenue Costs

The CBO has been told that they are responsible for the sustainability of all the other projects.