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
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 farmers and
their communities.
v
The action plan will entail demonstration plots that showcase
symbiotic uses of crop and livestock, 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.
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.
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 $2,500 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 to be shipped to Tanzania in early
2010. The WIS Well Team will soon thereafter travel to Tanzania to train the
Tanzanian well-drilling team on its operations and maintenance as well as to
provide oversight to the overall project. Once all is in place, it is hoped
that a new well will be drilled every other week or so rather than every
other month, greatly expanding efforts 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!
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.
Rev.
Seth Mlelwa:
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 (
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
