What we were up to-December 2015

About ->What we were up to – December-2015).

 

Third Rented Renovated Staff House

Isaac House 
We have just completed renovations on our third Admin home.  This house is rented from a local and renovated by KT for our second Farm Manager family. (See the map below for renovated Admin and Staff house locations.)

Well & Water on the Farm Property

KT Well  KT 1st Well 
The first well has been completed.  Unfortunately we did not hit as much water as the hydrology survey report had seemed to indicate.  We are now planing on drilling again at a second surveyed location.  It is our hope and prayer that between the two wells we will have enough water to fulled develop our water system including the permanent properties yet to be built on the farm land, as well as drip irrigation and to share with the village residents, both on the hill where water is not available and in the valley where only brackish water is available. (See map below for well locations.)

Seed Bank & Warehouse

Seed Bank Hole Done
We have completed the excavation (by hand) for our under ground seed bank.  By building the seed bank underground we can keep valuable seeds at a moderately cool temperature without the need of refrigeration.  It is our goal to make high quality seed available for our own farming as well as local farmers.  On top of the seed bank we will build a small warehouse to store cooperative harvests.  (See map below for seed bank location.)

Agribusiness Research & Surveys

KT’s Market Research Coordinator has been busy researching possible business endeavors for KT to begin with. KT is researching what things we can do that will not only generate income for KT, but also help the lives of the local villagers.  In addition we have been researching local (Tanzanian) sources of the different crops we hope to start with.

First Intern housing plot Expanded and Under construction

InternPlot01 
We have started constructions on the intern duplex building.  We have all the interlocking stabilized earth bricks prepared and are starting to stack them on the prepared foundation (background).  The CEO family will live in the house initially. After permanent staff housing is built on the farm property, this house will become a duplex for KT interns.  Additionally we were able to purchase some adjacent land for some additional KT endeavors mentioned below.  (See map below for intern plot location.)

New Staff Housing and storage construction

Staff & Store room front  Staff & Store room back 
We have nearly completed construction on a Staff Housing building as well as a storage unit.  Due to the urgency of this need, we used a wire mesh/ferrous cement construction.  However, the end result is a strong permanent building at very reasonable cost.  The Staff unit will have three bedrooms.  After other developments are complete, this storage room will eventually become a Farm Supply store.  This will help local farmers have access to much needed supplies as well as providing an income for KT in the future. (See map below for Staff Housing and storeroom location.)

Demonstration Plot

Demo Plot
A fence in under construction to keep the goats and cows out of what we become a demonstration plot.  This plot is ideally located half way between the village (North to South) and on the main path headed up the hill to the west where every one in the village has farm land, including KT.  This location will be very visible to all residents of Mchinga Mbili village.  We will have more demonstrations on our main farm land up the hill to the west, but this plot we hope will catch everyone’s eye initially.  (See map below for demo plot location.)

Map of how KT is growing & developing

KT Google Map
Click on the map to the left to enlarge.  Click again to zoom even more.

We have implemented a newsletter signup which will keep you informed about what’s happening at KT.

Your email address will be kept completely private and you my unsubscribe at any time.