Center for Agricultural
Development (CAD):
Striving to improve the livelihood and
dignity of Tanzanian smallholder farmers !!
Who are the major collaborators and contributors ?
v
The Western Iowa Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, whose
constituents have thus far pledged over $250,000 over the next three years
toward the implementation of this project.
v
The Southern Diocese Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, whose
constituents have committed the profits from their diocesan tea plantation
(and other agricultural initiatives) toward the sustainability of CAD. The
smallholders themselves will additionally provide sweat equity to assist in
the development of facilities and demonstration plots, and will actively
participate as voices of input, students, and project supporters and
evaluators.
v
The Bavarian Mission Church of Germany will provide for the
provision of the first CAD coordinator for a 4-year period — a German
agricultural engineer and economist.
v
Iowa State University Extension and Sokoine University of Agriculture in
Tanzania will work to provide multicultural technical and agricultural
expertise.
v
Other capacity-building support groups include the national churchwide
offices of both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in Tanzania,
the governments of both Tanzania and the USA, area Peace Corps
volunteers, ISUE interns, and varied volunteers both in the
USA and in Tanzania.
What are the relationship and Project
Values ?
v
Accompaniment — whereby we walk
together in the discussions and decisions that ensue within this
relationship and project.
v
Sustainability — whereby we seek teaching to fish rather than giving a
fish, and for increased Tanzanian stakeholder ownership of the project.
v
Accountability — whereby we work to be accountable to both our
commitments to action and to the designated use of funds.
v
Transparency — whereby we strive for open accountability and reporting to
all constituents involved in the project.
Who are the Tanzanian smallholder farmers ?
They are men, women,
and youth who work diligently to subsist on 2-5 acres of land. One
unforeseen setback (drought, flood, pests, governmental policies, economic
downturn, etc.) can mean the difference between food and famine, between
educating their children or not, and, in some cases, between life and
death. Note: 80% of Tanzanians are directly involved in and
are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihood
and it is
believed that growth in agriculture is twice as effective in reducing
poverty as growth in other sectors.
How will cad be implemented ?
v
CAD will develop a teaching center to work directly with the
smallholder farmers to increase productivity and profitability so as to
enhance the sustainable economic development of their farms and
their communities.
v
The action plan will entail demonstration plots that showcase
symbiotic uses of crop and livestock, farmer field schools in local
vicinities, 4-H type programs, and short
training courses that address agricultural practices, entrepreneurial
skills, marketing, storage, delivery, environmental concerns, cooperative
components, etc. — all in very hands-on experiential formats.
v
Women and youth will be strongly encouraged to participate in that they
are primary agriculturalists who will emerge as primary instruments of
change.
v
Future plans include satellite
sites whereby the CAD program can be duplicated among different
populations and climate structures within the Southern Diocese.
Recent CAD activities & developments ?
v
Bishop Last, Cindy Wells (Western Iowa Synod Global Programs
Coordinator), and Carl Bergstrom (Western Iowa Synod CAD Board member)
traveled to the Southern Diocese in November 2010 to review, discuss, and
decide on the future of CAD. Left to right: Carl Bergstrom, Cindy Wells,
Bishop Last.
v
An Executive Director has been hired. He is the Rev. Charles Mwantepele,
a trained agricultural extension officer, pastor, and counselor. Pastor
Mwantepele is pictured in the center (blue shirt). Also pictured are
Brighton Kaguo (left), Southern Diocese Projects Secretary, and Thomas
Mfugale (right), Lupembe smallholder farmer and CAD Board member.
v
A CAD Board of Directors has
been developed, with members identified -- including two smallholder
farmers, one of whom is female.
v
2011 budgetary parameters have been identified.
v
Facility renovation and developments have begun.
v
Water and electricity needs are being installed.
v
Demonstration plots are planted. Bishops Last (far right) and Lukilo
(second from left) are shown in the demonstration plot area.
How will cad make a difference ?
v
Increased productivity and profitability will enhance overall standards
of living AND levels of human dignity as we improve health, education,
social and economic realities.
v
Agriculture will be better viewed
as a viable and valuable life choice for youth and adults.
v
Families will be enabled to stay
united in rural areas, rather than migrating to urban centers for
employment and educational opportunities.
v
Increased participation in this struggle for justice and compassion will
deepen the spiritual nature and development of all those involved, leading
to greater overall global understanding and Christian response.
v
The lives of many may not only be affected, but, in many cases,
sustained through the resulting social and economic advances.
The
impacts of CAD are virtually endless, allowing for the light of
compassion to shine brighter in the midst of struggles and hopefulness.
Let us come together as we
Plant a program
Implement ideas
Harvest goals
actualize dreams !!
Please
contact Cindy Wells, Western Iowa Synod Global Programs Coordinator, with any
questions or needs you may have (wiscw@wisynod.org;
712-732-4968, ext. 441).
Companion Synod verse: …”...that
they may all be One””…………………… (John
17:21a).
Asante sana
(Thank you very much)
&
Mungu awabariki (God
bless you all) !!
Well Project:
Fresh,
clean water continues to flow in the Southern Diocese of Tanzania through the Western Iowa Synod Well Project.
The left photo shows Ron Sterler and the late Phyllis Sterler, Western Iowa
Synod Well Project coordinators. Phyllis passed away during the summer of
2010. The right photo shows Jeff Bowen and Dar Evans, well project team
members.
One well can affect the lives
of as many as 23,000 people from surrounding communities. A well greatly
improves the overall health of people (especially children) who routinely
suffer and die from water-borne diseases such as dysentery. Additionally,
women who often spend most of their day searching for water will have more
time for education or employment.
One well costs
approximately $3,500 USD. Funds are collected in varying amounts. The
Southern Diocese decides on the well locations. Locally trained
well-drilling
crews perform the work. Local water committees are formed to collect and
manage
small user fees which contribute to ongoing security and maintenance of the
wells.
Sanitation and hygiene classes are offered to teach proper techniques for
clean
collection, storage, and use of the water.
Newer,
more efficient equipment was
purchased in 2009 at a 50% discount! It was then outfitted and mounted
to a trailer. A six-ton prior military truck has also been purchased to
accompany the well-drilling rig All arrived in Tanzania in September
2010. The Western Iowa Synod Well Team traveled to Tanzania directly
thereafter in October to train the
Tanzanian well-drilling team on its operations and maintenance as well as to
provide oversight to the overall project. Eight holes were drilled during
this time with six producing adequate, clean water (with two dry holes)!
This new equipment greatly expands our ability to provide clean water,
improve health, and improve economic conditions!! With such increased capacity,
we are in increasing need of regular support for well drilling. Your
support is indispensable! Please continue to keep this project in your
prayers as we work to save lives through the provision of clean, life-giving
water -- perhaps a reminder of the same life-giving water in our baptism!
Two
wells in memory of Phyllis Sterler were drilled in October 2010 when her
husband Ron was in Tanzania. They are located at Chalowe and Igelango.
Bishop Last and Bishop Lukilo had the privilege of dedicating the Igelango
well -- what a special celebration and tribute it was!
Medical Supply:
A first-ever sea container of medical supplies was shipped to two medical
facilities in our companion synod, the ELCT-Southern Diocese in 2006. These
medical supplies and the funds for shipping were primarily contributed by
the congregations of the Western Iowa Synod with generous additions from
Global Health Ministries. The supplies
were met in Tanzania by a synod visitor group who participated in the
opening/blessing ceremonies of the sea container -- a highlight of their
trip! The supplies and equipment were quickly put to use to alleviate health
concerns and save lives.
Two from the visitor group, Carlene Embree, an RN,
and Dr. Timothy Peterson, MD, focused their time and attention on completing
a comprehensive health assessment of the Southern Diocese medical facilities
for use in future strategizing.
A CD-4 count machine and a biochemical
analyzer, along with supportive computer equipment, has been obtained
through the Clinton Foundation for use in the diagnosis and treatment of
HIV/AIDS and for the procurement of antiretroviral drugs at the Ilembula
Lutheran Hospital.
Emanuel Lutheran
Church of Dayton provided for the power surge protection of Ilembula
Lutheran Hospital, greatly securing the protection and ongoing use of the
important equipment they use.
Zion Lutheran of Gowrie and Emanuel Lutheran of Dayton, along with others,
have taken the lead in supplying needed
industrial laundry equipment
to the hospital. This equipment was installed and dedicated in November
2010. What a blessing this is for the hospital! The photo shows a
decorated piece of laundry equipment prior to dedication.
Many
Sunday School groups have contributed toward the supply of microscopes to
the hospital and various dispensaries of the diocese.
Hospice
kits, supplied by both the WIS and GHM, will make their way to Ilembula
Lutheran Hospital through
PEPFAR
activities. Learn
more about the kits.
On another medical note, Jason Mtokoma
(pictured second from left), Medical Officer at Kidugala Medical Center (a
diocesan clinic) has returned to medical school
to become a full doctor. He will return to Kidugala upon completion of
this degree. Once a full doctor is in place there, the medical center can move
toward becoming a hospital, a much-needed service for the area. Medical
school expenses are high. Global Health Ministries (GHM) has agreed to
make Mr. Mtokoma's school expenses an organizational fund that anyone can
contribute to, through GHM. As such, contributions can be made through
this GHM fund (www.ghm.org; 763-586-9590)
or through the Western Iowa Synod with Jason Mtokoma in the memo.
Approximately $3000/year in support is needed for Jason Mtokoma. He hopes to
complete his studies in 2012.
Igumbilo Lutheran Girls' Secondary School:
The school
opened in January 2006 with approximately 80 students. Currently, enrollment is at 350
students, with plans to add a class of 80 students each year until a total
capacity of 480 students is reached. In 2005, the
Western Iowa
Synod (and women's groups in particular) contributed sufficient funds to
cover the initial $25,000 purchase of the compound that consists of
classrooms, dormitories, dining hall, and administration. The
Southern Diocese
renovated and developed this facility into a working school.
Whereas
primary school is free and compulsory in
Tanzania, one
must pay tuition to attend secondary school. In that it is difficult for
families to pay the tuition, not all are afforded this opportunity. In
addition, girls are not as readily educated as their male counterparts due
to cultural biases. The
Southern Diocese recognizes the importance of educating females who are most
likely to share their educational knowledge to their families and
communities, helping to educate and develop the nation as a whole.
Tuition and development costs are approximately
$500/student/year. General ongoing synod funds are sent to the Southern
Diocese at the rate of $2,000/month to be used for tuition scholarships
(90%) and school development (10%). The scholarships are
provided
primarily to those of greatest financial need -- orphans with no one to
provide for their secondary education, or to girls of the local Masai
community who are routinely married off at young ages to bear children and
tend cattle. The Southern Diocese funds the remaining scholarships,
development and operations of the school.
The students at Igumbilo are
testing very well, making this school a regional leader! As such, the
government is encouraging the school to add an additional two levels for
those preparing for advanced university studies.
Read a thank-you letter (page
1;
page 2)
from a student at the Igumbilo school!
Anyone wanting to financially
contribute generally to the Companion Synod Program or to a partner project
is asked to make their check payable to the Western Iowa Synod with their
intention/designation in the memo and mail it to: Western Iowa Synod, PO Box
577, Storm Lake, IA 50588-0577
or
Asante sana
(Thank you very much) &
Mungu awabariki
(God bless you all) !!
Rev.
Seth Mlelwa:
The Rev. Dr. Kimilike holds a Dr. of Philosophy Degree in Theology on Old Testament
Mrs. Sabine Winkler hails from the Bavarian Mission Church in Germany and is
currently serving
