Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm

I have been trying, really trying to not let down my handful of dedicated blog readers: mom, dad, Heather and the mysterious Pole that checks the blog daily – THANK YOU!

I love writing for the blog. I love taking pictures for it. I don't love the actual posting of it though. It involves burning files to a DVD then going to the internet café and hoping that the electricity and internet connection are functioning, both of which are off for a minimum two hours daily at times completely variable: first thing in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, dusk, bedtime.

My walk to the café is filled with trepidation. I look inside at the owner sitting behind his computer, trying to read his face, attempting to discern from his body language and facial expressions if the network is operating.

“Is it on?” I ask.

“Yes, nyabo,” the operator will often say.

The ensuing relief is at times quickly distorted into frustration and exasperation when the power and/or internet will suddenly disappear midst a blog posting or picture upload. Or maybe the internet won’t actually go out, but will be so slow as to render it worthless. Do you remember the last time it took you fifteen minutes to open a single, basic html page? Was it in 1996?

My dedication to the blog has also been compromised as of late due to the amount of time spent putting my kind donors’ money to good use. I am ecstatic, elated, excited about what my friends at TYOM and I have accomplished and what lies ahead. I sense we are resting at the threshold of something very promising.

Our hard work has paid off with a series of developments the last couple of weeks that certainly bear revealing. So, with no further ado, I am pleased to present to you our first major accomplishment, The Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm.


The Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm is the first of a couple of businesses I am developing, the proceeds of which will go to my children.

MMPF received its first batch of 300 day-old chicks two Thursdays past. The birds will be reared for the next two months to be sold for meat during the holiday season when consumer demand for poultry products is high. I can hardly wait for our first big profit!

MMPF’s current operations are relatively, but we have plans for rapid growth. On order for December and February are another 600 chicks.

Shamim in front of farm

Meet Sharif, MMPF’s first full-time employee. Sharif was chosen amongst a large pool of applicants because she performed well in the interview and because she is known in the village as being kind and hard-working. We also wanted to employ a vulnerable woman and Sharif qualified as she was jobless, shillingless and raising a three month old baby boy alone; the father of whom bolted at two weeks of age.

The first time I met Shamim I instantly liked her. She smiles shyly, speaks softly, moves thoughtfully.

“And she loves the chicks,” someone told me. “It’s so important that they love the chicks. They need to to care for them properly.”

You've now been introduced to the Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm, but don’t go anywhere! I have a few more introductions pending….

12 comments:

  1. Absolutely amazing! Where is the farm located, on the childrens land or closer to you and them? Im so excited for you all! Great job Natalie and thank you for your effort to keep the blog updated, i was talking about it and have emailed it to new people i meet and those who have been to africa and understand. Your doing amazing things! We did the same thing for my husbands nieces in brasil. Not to your extent but we got them chickens and a roster and said raise some and sell some. They are 18 with children and stay home all day. why not?
    -h

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is completely inspiring. Am Ndyaguma Brian from Kampala-Uganda and I feel very happy for you and your family. I too have a poultry farm in Ibanda District - Uganda for commercial purposes. Its a pleasure.
    ndyags2006@yahoo.co.uk
    0782 065 238/ 0702 065 238

    ReplyDelete
  3. what can i say. its a good work may the God lord bless you

    ReplyDelete
  4. i am in kenya and specialize in briquettes which are adequate in chicken rearing as well as jikos that are used together with the briquettes thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello. This is incredible work you are doing congratulations! We at Brentec Vaccines manufacture a Newcastle Disease Vaccine locally called KUKUSTAR that is designed specifically for rural poultry farmers. It does not require a cold chain deliver system, it is administered easily through eye drops, we sell it in smaller doses (minimum 25) and it can be given to day old chicks the same way it is administered to fully grown birds (vaccinated once every three months). Protecting and vaccinating birds is important for poultry farmers to be successful so we try to educate them on the proper practices that will make this happen. Poultry farming is an effective way for rural farmers to generate some household income.

    You can follow our journey on Blogspot, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi! I could have sworn I've visited this blog before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it's new to me.

    Anyways, I'm certainly happy I discovered it and I'll be book-marking it and checking back often!

    Feel free to visit my weblog emergency water damage cleanup services Nashville TN

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello friends, fastidious piece of writing and nice urging commented at
    this place, I am genuinely enjoying by these.

    Review my page - szyby samochodowe kraków nowa huta

    ReplyDelete
  8. Have you ever establish a business agreement, aask for suggestios from the well-experienced
    designing office interiors firms that are already in the organizations.
    Ask to see if they are also depenbdent on these items in their respective
    websites.

    Here is my site weeb site ()

    ReplyDelete
  9. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment.
    I do think that you need to publish more on this subject, it may not be a
    taboo matter but typically people don't speak about these
    issues. To the next! Kind regards!!

    Here is my web page: Livejasmin hack free

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am truly thankful to the owner of this site who has shared this great post at at this time.



    Here is my blog post csr racing Cheats

    ReplyDelete
  11. In accordance to the company's proxy statement, his complete
    payment is only $1 for each yr. Make sure you
    check their manual and guarantee for recommendations specific to every manufacturer.


    Feel free to visit my website ... auto warranty

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am extremely inspired along with your writing abilities as smartly as with the layout to your blog.
    Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it your self?
    Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it
    is uncommon to peer a great blog like this one nowadays..


    Also visit my weblog: buy NO2 Surge

    ReplyDelete