what happens when you guys build then have to leave? I mean in these unstable places negative things are going to happen. I love the idea. But im just curious to this one aspect. are these places going to continue to develop in positive ways even after everyone leaves?
"Themafia" raised a very good point. Good question!
Right now, we are working in partnership with another foundation, International Peace initiative (IPI), who are based out of Meru, the town where we will be working the community home. So After we leave, IPI will still be around to support the project. But even that is besides the point. Ultimately, once the Amani Community Home will be complete it will be self sustaining. Here is how IPI puts it:
"Amani Community Home, the first Community Home IPI is constructing, distinguishes itself from other home care projects in that it strives to be a model for the community—a demonstration project—for education, enterprise, and empowerment. The cornerstone of this concept is the Network of Enterprise that makes the home both self-sustaining and links it inextricably with the community. A network of enterprise is a carefully created strategic plan, comprising several income-generating projects, which are interdependent and which, taken together, provide the income and products needed to make the community home self-reliant."
Helping with the actual building is what we have committed to so far but the vision for the ACH program goes further then that. Here are some of the income generating projects that will be put in place:
"Establish Farms: Establish a farm that keeps goats, cows, rabbits and poultry. The poultry farms shall grow chickens as layers which will produce meat and eggs. Part of the produce of egg and meat shall be used to feed the children in the centre and sold in the market to generate revenue. Goats and cows will provide meat and milk for the center as well as for sale in the local market. The latter will supplement income generation for the Community Home. Children will be encouraged to keep their own animals from which they can generate income and save their own money.
Cottage industries: Set up industries for production of selected products for the local and international market (wool works – hand made wool items; t-shits and cap printing; wood work – making wood items such as furniture; bee-keeping; tailoring – making of school uniforms for our children; jewelry making using local materials; etc.)"
Thanks for asking questions! I'll try to include more information on the web site so keep visiting. Maybe I should add a "frequently asked questions" section...
"Negative things" happen everywhere, and it's true that there is no guarantee that the people we help will be continuing to develop in a positive way after we leave. How ever,we believe that trying and doing our best is the first step towards a positive outcome. A friend once told me (and he probably took it from one of these cheesy inspirational posters..) "to try and fail is divine, to avoid trying for fear of failure is spineless."
If you are satisfied with my answer, don't hesitate to log back on alpineinitiatives.org and hit that "donate" button..!!
For those of you who will be attending IF3, see you there!