Thursday, November 12, 2015

Family Empowerment - soil testing, Farming God's way and more updates

Soils testing was completed by Neal, Richard, Jackson, Apopom and Bosco with 8 fields visited. There is need to have treated seeds with Rhizobia to help soybeans grow. Soils are all low in nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil is high in potassium. Soil pH is around 6.0. Bosco learned how to do some soil testing. Neal was a great teacher. The farmers felt the time they spent together was very helpful to all. Leigh arrived today with Martha. Leigh also noted how much progress has happened since her last visit 2 years ago. SHe is excited to catch up on all the activities! She joined us for the afternoon Emmanuel clinic meeting with the VHTs. Village Health Workers are volunteers from nearby villages who have been trained to care for small medical situations such as wound care, burns, vital signs, malaria prevention, ect.

VHTs noted the successes to include great working relationship with the clinic and other VHT volunteers. Brought up the need to vaccinate our VHT workers against Hepatitis B. Many Sudanese are immigrating with Hepatitis.

The clinic is running so well there has been NO deaths in the clinic. The Ugandan government has come to the clinic and noted it is the "best clinic they have seen". The government has financed a mass vaccination clinic where over 300 children were vaccinated against Polio and measles.

Rain water collection planning and building continued today. The height of the north and south sides of the building are different sizes. Due to this the final decision was made to complete the rain water collection on the north side of the building will be completed. It was recognized that there is need to develop water drainage on the south side of the building. When it rains the water pools up so high it comes over the cement veranda. We witnessed this today in a short but powerfully wet rain! A gift to the farm from Charles KIng of Absarokee Montana, a former professor. He gifted a book of flowers of Uganda.

Richard spoke to the interest of the people to earn the knowledge of how to make their crops better. Neal was so patient in describing the issue and educating the people on the issues and how to fix. Richard feels with this help they will make great strides. Richard thanked Neal specifically for his help.

30 bags of mosquito nets are on site for outreach. That is 1500 nets!! Thank you to the people back home for this. Sunday will be 2 outreach clinics at 2 different church services. Kampala and Katamara village will be the destinations.

Sunday afternoon Farming God's way representatives will come to give a demonstation. We are excited to see what knowledge he has to offer!

Kenny has been so wonderful to us in preparing our food! God has truly blessed him with a talent!


- Steph Bond

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