The Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm

I have been trying, really trying to not let down my handful of dedicated blog readers: mom, dad, Heather and the mysterious Pole that checks the blog daily – THANK YOU!

I love writing for the blog. I love taking pictures for it. I don't love the actual posting of it though. It involves burning files to a DVD then going to the internet café and hoping that the electricity and internet connection are functioning, both of which are off for a minimum two hours daily at times completely variable: first thing in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, dusk, bedtime.

My walk to the café is filled with trepidation. I look inside at the owner sitting behind his computer, trying to read his face, attempting to discern from his body language and facial expressions if the network is operating.

“Is it on?” I ask.

“Yes, nyabo,” the operator will often say.

The ensuing relief is at times quickly distorted into frustration and exasperation when the power and/or internet will suddenly disappear midst a blog posting or picture upload. Or maybe the internet won’t actually go out, but will be so slow as to render it worthless. Do you remember the last time it took you fifteen minutes to open a single, basic html page? Was it in 1996?

My dedication to the blog has also been compromised as of late due to the amount of time spent putting my kind donors’ money to good use. I am ecstatic, elated, excited about what my friends at TYOM and I have accomplished and what lies ahead. I sense we are resting at the threshold of something very promising.

Our hard work has paid off with a series of developments the last couple of weeks that certainly bear revealing. So, with no further ado, I am pleased to present to you our first major accomplishment, The Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm.

The Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm is the first of a couple of businesses I am developing, the proceeds of which will go to my children.

MMPF received its first batch of 300 day-old chicks two Thursdays past. The birds will be reared for the next two months to be sold for meat during the holiday season when consumer demand for poultry products is high. I can hardly wait for our first big profit!

MMPF’s current operations are relatively, but we have plans for rapid growth. On order for December and February are another 600 chicks.

Shamim in front of farm

Meet Sharif, MMPF’s first full-time employee. Sharif was chosen amongst a large pool of applicants because she performed well in the interview and because she is known in the village as being kind and hard-working. We also wanted to employ a vulnerable woman and Sharif qualified as she was jobless, shillingless and raising a three month old baby boy alone; the father of whom bolted at two weeks of age.

The first time I met Shamim I instantly liked her. She smiles shyly, speaks softly, moves thoughtfully.

“And she loves the chicks,” someone told me. “It’s so important that they love the chicks. They need to to care for them properly.”

You've now been introduced to the Maama Muzungu Poultry Farm, but don’t go anywhere! I have a few more introductions pending….