Not such a dream after all

Over the last few days, I have learnt a lot about chicken rearing and building kibandas (that’s Kiswahili for a chicken house). But we haven't got any chickens yet or a complete building to put them in. We are so much closer to it though. Having Angelo and the car for two days was amazing. He is so helpful and motivated and has great ideas. I think between the two of us we managed to get much done. Poor man, he must have been so tired. And then had to get up at 4 this morning to go to work. So wonderful that he uses his time off to help the project.
As well as sorting out some materials for the kibandas we visited a place in Ntonge where a group is running a chicken business with an incubator and a kibanda and are using all the right feed and vaccinations. We realised we needed more ventilation in ours so am knocking down some wall. Sad but necessary. I do feel more positive about the whole idea now, having seen how well these guys are doing. What sounded a bit like a nice dream weeks ago when I first talked with Gloria seems more easily achievable now.

Angelo and I also visited VETA (Vocational Education & Training Authority) local branch, (my first time) and the chicken rearing expert gave us at least an hour tour of their set up. Very interesting and we learnt heaps about the processes involved in the rearing and vital things to remember at each step in order to get a high yield and avoid disease. Their set up is very involved and professional but there are ways of simplifying the process while still incorporating the vital stuff for our project. We may have the opportunity to have some training days for the women at VETA which I’d like to organise with Gloria when I find out exactly what they have been taught already. I have been informed they have had some training but have not yet found out exactly what. It would be really good for some of the group to see the VETA set up or at least the one in Ntonge. May be I will try to arrange a visit. The group is very nice and open about sharing ideas. The Ntonge business seems also to be working because the members are hard working, understanding that the chickens lives are their lives. Could even be an alternative to going all the way to Singida for training, travelling is so difficult in this region. Food for thoughts………..