Planting Seeds Project Updates
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Fruited Plains is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization. We believe everyone should have food to eat, a place to live, and an opportunity to provide for themselves and their family.
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God Prepares to Feed the Mountain
Last update we shared about the violence on Mt. Elgon. Since that time, peace has returned to the mountain and those who have homes to return to have done so. We pray for continued peace on the mountain. This has been an exciting year for Fruited Plains, Inc. We companion planted 5 acres of miracle maize and beans. The crop produced enough to feed roughly 900 families. After much discussion, we decided to distribute the seed and fertilizer to 383 families. This will include the four churches Fruited Plains has assisted in the past and one new church. The distribution will take place in February of 2009.
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Because this is our first year distributing the new maize, we thought it would be wise to start small to make sure we are able to manage the project. The new operation for Fruited Plains involves more than simply distributing seed and fertilizer as we have done in the past. (If you are not familiar with the new operation for the Planting Seeds Project, please click on Planting Seeds on the tool bar at the top of this page and learn about the exciting new changes to this project.)
In order for the recipient families to succeed in becoming self-sustaining, it is necessary for them to participate in the training. Training 383 families within 5 churches was doable for this year. Also, by storing some of the miracle maize we harvested, we ensure we will have seed to distribute should there be a bad farming season on any given year where the harvest is small. Our goal is to be able to train and distribute seed to 500 families in 2010.
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| Mike (left) and Butaki (right) Teaching a business seminar at a recipient church on Mt. Elgon |
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The original 4 churches Fruited Plains has assisted, have agreed to use the one-half acre plots donated to them as demonstration plots. The demonstration plots will serve as a training ground where one member of each family will learn about the miracle maize, how to companion plant and make their own compost. They will also attend a business seminar at the host church near them.
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| Michele with a recipient family of the Planting Seeds Projects |
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| Here are just a few of the many testimonies we heard from the
people:
"Before this project began, we
were unable to feed our family nor have any surplus for our basic needs.
Now, we have plenty of food and the surplus we sell to buy our daily
needs. We also built a bigger house from the proceeds of our harvests.
Last year when we harvested, we took some of the maize to my brother's school
to pay for his fees. This project has really helped us." - Fridah
Chepkemei
"Before we used to have land but could not afford farm inputs. I am the
first born. My father died leaving me with the burden of fending for the
family. But I thank God that through this project, I am able to take my
two sisters through high school and yet still have enough for food and other
basic needs. Thank You Fruited Plains."
"My name is Evelyn. My husband is called Masai Kirong, these are our
children. My husband is called Masai Kirong, these are our four
children. I am grateful since this project began. I am also so
happy that I cannot express my joy. It shows that God can use people from
very far to bless His children. I was displaced from the clash torn area
of Chepyuk in
Mt.
Elgon and when I came
here, I joined the church that this project was going on. I became a
beneficiary and since then, I have had enough food and the surplus we sell to
buy other things. This project has really helped me and I do not know how
life would have been if this project had not been there."
"When Fruited Plains first came four years ago, we received farm inputs that
have enabled us harvest good crops. Also, when they came last year and
taught us in s seminar about business, we have not been the same. The
teaching helped understand on how to reduce my expenses and increase my
profits. From this project, I can now give my tithes to God and He has
been good to me. We used to suffer frequently from diseases, but since we
began giving God His 10%, we have hardly gotten sick. The proceeds from
the project have also helped me buy beds and chairs. My children used to
sleep on the floor but now they sleep in beds and they dress well. They
also learn in private academy schools because I can through the project pay for
their fees. This project has helped me buy chicken and dairy cow.
Thank you Fruited Plains."
"We embrace this project that God through Fruited Plains initiated. We
used to plant very late because of lack of inputs and would only harvest 2 bags
from an acre. Now, we plant early and harvest a good crop which has
enabled us to have enough food and also for other needs like clothing and
household. We are also able to help others who are in need. We are
happy that through this project, we were able to build a bigger tin roofed
house, a big difference from our small grass-thatched house. This project
has lifted us from one glory to another. We say thank you very much for
your help. We pray to God to bless you so that you may help more other
people in similar situations. Thank you Fruited Plains." - David Kapendi
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| Mike and Michele with team that assisted in planting the 5 acres of Miracle Maize and beans |
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