The initiators came together with some supportive friends (2 prominent business people from Kabale, one social worker, one Community Development Facilitator) and registered an Association. A lawyer is contracted for advice and help with all legal matters such as membership, landownership etc.
And work at the site has started:
A farm manager, a young woman trained in agriculture, is permanent at the site. She develops erosion control measures, vegetable gardens, plants (fruit) trees and takes care of some small livestock. She has a female helper who gets training in sustainable farming. Once a while youth from the surrounding communities come for some training.
Learning how to plant leguminous scrubs along contours to control erosion and as fodder
At the same time, ideas continue to evolve and we expect the whole project to grow organically. So far a few things are agreed upon:
Amasiko has to become an alternative community, living on an ecological farm where young people in need can get a shelter, training, healing and hope for a better future. Training gives them skills in sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism such that they can become self-reliant entrepreneurs who take their knowledge back to rural communities.
The centre has to be self-sufficient, producing organic agricultural foodstuffs for home consumption and sales. Also the eco-farm has some accommodation for visitors and opportunities for a relaxed vacation, as well as a chance to engage in some activities and to interact with the members and trainees.
But we want to be more:
In the last 10-15 Uganda has embraced a free market policy and capitalism as way to develop the country. On one site this has attracted foreign investments and created some industrial production. But it seems that only a relatively small part of the elite has benefited. People in rural areas are still poor while the availability of consumer goods has increased the felt needs tremendously. We have noted that most young people are only having one real value left in life “Making money”. Where are those traditional African values left?
Amasiko wants to become a place where:
- traditional values are respected, embraced and promoted.
- economic and social sustainability is ensured without damaging our environment and without wastage of resources.
- people life in harmony and respect for each other and for the nature as a whole.
- Surrounding communities have opportunities to see sustainable organic farming at work, exchange experiences and acquire relevant skills
- Visitors are welcome for exchange, learning, healing.......................
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