South Africa Chicken Projects: 2008 Reports
Brownlee Chicken Project
Ezolo Chicken Project
Brownlee Chicken Project
The chicken house at Rhabule location was completed in late April 2008. There were many delays in this process, including weather and issues with the builder, but at last the structure is complete. The Department of Labor has agreed to assist with the training and mentoring of workers, and negotiations are underway by the church to facilitate this process happening as soon as possible. They are expecting to begin training in the next month. Reverend Makuzeni has been keeping the Barnes informed on the process and Jon will be going to this location once the training has started to take more pictures.
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Ezolo Chicken Project
The erection of chicken houses has been a long process. It has been decided to build at two locations instead of four. This was done for two reasons. First, when we were in the planning stages of this project, everyone involved in each of the outstations seemed to be in agreement with the process. However, once funding arrived, two of the locations where buildings were planned (namely Ezolo and Tshetshengwana) experienced disagreements within the communities over where the structure should be built, as well as who should be involved. After consulting with the minister, the agricultural consultant, and community leaders, it was decided that it would be better not to proceed in these two locations. The second reason has to do with cost issues. Although it was a disappointment not to build in all four locations, it would have been difficult to stay within budget because of the rising cost of materials and petrol. When the application for this project was submitted, the quotes that were attached were obviously based on the cost of materials and transport at the time. The cost of petrol (gas) at the time of submission was about 5 Rand per liter. The cost now is 10 Rand per liter, a doubling of costs. This has had great implications for the cost of building materials, as well as the cost of travel for the agricultural consultant. When the application was submitted, we built in about 10 percent extra in cost to cover inflation. However, all nations and their economies are affected by the ongoing issues and recession in Western economies. It would have been impossible to predict a doubling of cost in a year.
At this time, buildings are being erected in two locations (namely Ngcongcolora and Vrystaat). The structure at Ngcongcolora will be completed in the next week, depending on the weather. Vrystaat is behind schedule, but should be completed by the end of May. Once these structures are completed, training by ATS Consultants will begin immediately. Jon will be traveling to the Transkei to visit these locations on Monday, 5 May, and will take pictures of each location. Ngcongcolora should be completed at that time, and Vrystaat should be near completion.
As reported by: Reverends Dawn and Jon Barnes
Edited by: Office of Resource Development
Global Ministries
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206
Tel: (317) 713-2555
Fax: (317) 635-4323
Email: gifts@dom.disciples.org
June 2008