Our partners are cooking up big change in their communities and there are so many inspiring stories, photos, and quotes to share! I couldn’t fit them all in the Spring & Summer 2013 Newsletter, so today’s blog is a bit of newsletter leftover stew…
(The newsletter went off to the presses yesterday but you can download a PDF COLOR copy here today.)
1. Women Starting Businesses in Kenya
SIA Small Business Fund local coordinator in Kenya, Dennis Kiprop, is excited about the new cohort of 5 women-led business groups:
“I thank God for such an opportunity to serve and train these small business groups. The greatest joy is to see them grow in God and be able to support their families in the long run with the businesses they are doing. Most of them are the key providers in their own families. Thank you for the great support, prayers, and love.”
Rose and Salina fill out their business plan after attending a training session led by local SIA Coordinator Dennis Kiprop.
Goats are kept in elevated pens in Malawi.
2. Forestry Project in Malawi
The front page of the newsletter has a story about 5 Small Business Fund groups in Malawi that are collaborating to start a forestry project.
The tree-planting business will not only help reforest the area and help the soil retain more water, the trees are also important for infrastructure in the rural Manyamula village. Tree poles are used for building houses and also for penning goats.
This photo shows the elevated goat pen which keeps the animals safe and allows the owners to collect manure for their gardens!
3. Short (and important) Supporter Survey
We want to hear your preferences! We have a short 9-question survey for our supporters. Will you tell us how you want to hear from us and what you like about SIA? Take the survey here. Thank you!
4. Memories of Del’s Encouragement
I asked Camily Wedende, a solar cooker entrepreneur in Kenya, about what words of inspiration from Del still stuck with him. (See the newsletter of how Camily is helping others promote solar cooking in Kenya.)
“Del used to write about letting go. To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires but to take each day as it comes and to cherish the moment.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.”
5. Giant Cucumber!
I LOVE this photo of SIA local coordinator Canaan Gondwe (Malawi) with the giant cucumber that grew in his community with seeds sent by our dedicated volunteer, Aileen Gillem.
Seeds were given to needy families in the community for them to use in their kitchen gardens (small garden plots with many types of vegetables growing). Cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions all thrived, supplementing the staple food, maize (corn).
