An Opportunity For Some

This is a bit different blog post- a story and an opportunity to those who wish to be involved.  It is not something we usually do and we are hoping it is a wise exception!

Sidney is a single dad at our church in Mwandi.  He lost his wife several years ago to an illness and is raising thier two young children now by himself.  You would never know sadness has been such a part of his life though when you meet him.  He always shows a smile and has such a gentle spirit and way about him.  When he greets you at home or in the market his soft greeting, happy smile, and gentle handshake make you feel everything is okay in the world.  He leads the the young adult choir at church and every Sunday can be seen directing them with an easy hand and a humble confidence.  

But we love Sydney because he helped us get rid of the bats.  Sydney is also a bit of a pest control expert and it was he who came to our rescue those first days in Mwandi (see early blog).  He taught us about burning chilli powder to flush bats out of a house through a pipe fitted with a sock so exit was possible, but not returning.  Turns out he is a great guy too and we have come to know him much better since those early days.

Sydney came to us to use the computer to type up a proposal he had made to start a poultry prodcuction business in Mwandi.  He is submitting the propasal to the govenrment in hopes of aquiring a grant for the startup.  As we helped him to type it we were very impressed with the thought and preparation that had gone into the proposal.  I do not have high hopes of a response from the government given the current state of election upheaval and distractions.

So…I have copied his proposal below for those interested in checking it out.  Alicia and I have decided to combine some of our resources with others of you to help Sydney with this idea that we believe will bear fruit and help someone get started and improve life in Mwandi.  Usually we stick to education, but again hope to be making a wise exception in this case.  The total cost of the start up is about $1,500 USD as Sydney has detailed in the proposal.  If you are interested let us know- you can put any contribution into our CVM account and then inform us so we can be sure to designate it for Sydney and his children.

So, here goes nothing…updates to follow.  

PS- Sydney doesn’t know about this.

-Paul and Alicia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

POULTRY PRODUCTION

1.  PROJECT BACKGROUND

2.  MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

3.  JUSTIFICATION OF PROJECT

4.  DETAILS OF THE APPLICANT

5.  LOCATION OF OPERATION

6.  BUDGET PLAN

7.  EXPENDITURE

1.  PROJECT BACKGROUND

The poultry project will be situated within my village in Mwandi New District.

I am starting this project for the first time in my life.  There are already others who are running poultry projects in the locality.  They are doing very well.  There is enough space on my yard or homestead to accommodate this project.  Water is plentiful for the chickens.  I am of the knowledge that in business ventures, there are some risks and challenges, but I have to take it on despite the risks involved.

2.   MARKET OPPORTUNITIES  

This will be the established district near our village.  There is also an export market because of the nearby country of Namibia.  Many have come to know how nutritious chicken meat is.  The community will also be a readily available primary market for my products.

3.  PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

Poultry production is a vital project to start in my area because there are only a few farmers who rear chickens.  The introduction of chicken production in my area will make people rise to the occasion of chicken rearing.  This will provide employment to me, my household, and others in the community.  Hence the education of my children and others who will be involved in the community.  The project will improve my standard of living and others in the community.  In turn, I will ask to contribute to the development of the local community and overall to the country.

I am skilled to carry out all managerial practices required on a farm.  The prevalent local climatic condition are favorable to chicken rearing.  

4.  DETAILS OF THE APPLICANT

NAME:  SYDNEY MUYUNDA

ADDRESS: THE UNITED CHURCH OF ZAMBIA

   MWANDI CONGREGATION

   MWANDI CONSISTORY

   BOX 1 MWANDI, SESHEKE

TYPE OF FARMER:  EMERGENT

BATCH  200 DAY OLD CHICKS

5.  LOCATION OF OPERATION

The rearing of chickens will be carried out in Mwandi, Sesheke of Western Province.

The total budget requested for the project is K15.050.00  Material resources requested/required.  Details are provided in the attached budget.

6.  BUDGET PLAN

I intend to start with 200 day old chicks (broilers).

- The cost of 1 chick is K7.00

- The cost of 200 day old chicks = K7.00 X 200 

    Subtotal = K1.4000.00

- Transport requirements person and chicks.

Person (to and from) will cost = K75.00 X 2 = K150.00

Chicks booking will cost = K200.00

       SUB-TOTAL = K150.00 + K200.00 = K350.00

DRUGS

FUMIGANTS = 50 mls x 2 at K70 each = K70 x 2 = K140.00

DISINFECTANTS = 50 mls x 2 at K50 each = K50 x 2 = K100

10 FEEDERS at K60 each = K60 x 10 = K600.00

10 DRINKERS at K60 each = K60 x 10 = K600.00

2 20 litres sprayer at K120 each = K120 x 2 = K240.00

SUB-TOTAL = K1,680.00

LIGHTING

3 Charcoal blazies at K40 each = K40.00 x 3 = K120.00

10 Bags x 50kgs charcoal at k20 each = k20.00 x 10 = k200.00

MISCELLANEOUS (SANDRIES) at K400.00 = K400.00 x 1 = k400.00

SUB-TOTAL = K720.00

FEEDINGS

Starter = 5 bags x 50kgs at K300.00 each = k300.00 x 5 bags = K1,500.00

MASH GROWER = 10 x 50 kgs at K300.00 each = K300.00 x 10 bags = K3,000.00

FINISHER = 10 x 50 kgs at K300.00 each = K300.00 x 10 bags = k3000.00

SUB-TOTAL = K7,500.00

BUILDING ROOF

20 X 3.5 metres Iron sheets at K120.00 each

 = K120.00 x 20 = K2400.00

40 x 2.5 metres rafter planks at k25.00

= K25.00 x 40 = K1000.00

SUB-TOTAL   = K3.400.00

Therefore the total amount requested for is K15.050.00

7.  EXPENDITURE

ITEM DESCRIPTION	UNIT	QUANTITY	COST	AMOUNT
TRANSPORT To and from	1	2	K75.00	K150.00
DAY OLD CHICKS	1	200	K7.00	K1.400.00
FUMUGANTS 50ML	1	2	K70.00	K140.00
DISINFECTANTS 50ML	1	2	K50.00	K100.00
FEEDERS	1	10	K60.00	K600.00
DRINKERS	1	10	K60.00	K600.00
20 LITRES SPRAYER		2	k120.00	K240.00
CHARCOAL BLAZIES	1	3	K40.00	K120.00
BAGS OF CHARCOAL	1	10	K20.00	K200.00
MISCELLANEOUS		1	K400.00	K400.00
STARTER	1	5	K300.00	K1.500.00
MASH GROWER	1	10	K300.00	K3000.00
FINISHER	1	10	K300.00	K3000.00
IRON SHEETS	1	20	K120.00	K2.400.00
RAFTER PLANKS	1	40	K25.00	K1000.00
			GRAND TOTAL	K15.050.00