The volunteer group from Numurkah provided an overview of the project’s progress since 2011, highlighting a shift toward self-sufficiency and permaculture.
Infrastructure & Security: The project is transitioning from barbed wire to a permanent brick wall to ensure total security for the children and assets. All construction, including a nine-foot-deep septic system, is being completed by hand by local workers to support the local economy.
Horticulture: Currently utilising a shade house and an outdoor irrigation system to grow vegetables, including tomatoes, capsicums, machicha, kale and maize. There is a broad range of fruit trees banana, papaya, mango, guava.
Poultry Expansion: A new chicken facility is under construction to house 1,500 meat chickens in rotation. This includes a new slaughterhouse to improve hygiene standards and meet the high demand for poultry from local tourism. There is also a very successful 300 egg laying house which services the orphanage and local markets and restaurants.
Children: Currently two houses which currently have boys in one house and girls in the other. Mupa, Zamae Rakma Happiness Mwanamisi Tivian Hamisi James Kaingu Diana Mary Alare Alexis Duncan Teresa Omari Christine Edna and Dolph at boarding school.
Education: The original plan for an on-site school has been replaced by sending children to a local private school, allowing the 15-acre site to be fully utilised for farming and income generation.
