Wow!

Ahhhh, paved roads (NO potholes) winding along steep mountain ridges and parallel to ancient valley riverbeds, long ago filled with volcanic earth. EVERY last bit of land is terraced and farmed here, save for small, scattered stands of eucalyptus forests and, of course, the national parks.. And it's BREATHTAKINGLY GORGEOUS, every minute, every where! An endless stream of "wow!…wow!…OMG wow!…"

Wow!

Wow!

This incredible country, a success story other African countries would do well to model themselves after, is unlike anywhere else we've seen. And we've seen!
Next Stop…Musanze District
Genocide commemorations during this time limited our interactions but we were able to catch up with some of the Amizero Cooperative of ex-poachers, outside Volcanoes National Park as the first group of them get ready to pay forward in the coming months.

Catching up with a few of The Amizero Cooperative members...

Once again we get to hear the joy of simple accomplishments and the dignity that comes with standing up to proudly announce not just increases in crop yields but conscious decisions to make life improvements. Check out just a few.

Marie Rose has 3 sheep and one is ready to deliver in the next week or so. She thinks it might be twins!
Her crop yield of potatoes has increased from 350kg to 2000kg in just over 2 years. When she collaborated with us she was farming one acre. She has since used some of her profits to rent another acre as she has sufficient fertilizer.

Innocent
actually a member of The Porters Cooperative, who has already paid forward.
organic fertilizer from his sheep and offspring increased his potato yield from 700kg to 2000kg.
The first year it happened, he sold his potatoes at market and immediately bought a tin roof to replace his thatched roof. This is both a safety measure (against fire), more efficient, and lasts longer.
"Now I know that I can have dreams and make them happen." His next plan, with the next harvest, is to re-do his mud walls with cement.

Fostine
increased crop yield from 200kg to 500 kg as well as fertilizing his fruit trees, and added the income to savings to purchase a pig. He now composts the pig manure with the sheep manure and offers free fertilizer to his neighbours kitchen gardens "because someone helped him, he wants to help others."

And yet another new development. Paul was unaware, when he leased 2.5 acres last year, that we cannot put up so much as a match stick in terms of construction. What to do with a 5 year lease?!? Well, thanks to Francois, head of The Amizero Cooperative,

Jeff and Francois head of The Amizero Cooperative of ex-poachers, heading out to our 'acreage'.

22 single mothers/widows have formed a cooperative and haves already begun farming potatoes on it. They will pay rent, at a VERY reduced rate but in keeping with our mission to provide the dignity of opportunity, not hand outs. They will each receive a sheep asap!

gotta love these little shitters!

Our newest cooperative in Musanze. With meagre funds these lovely women were each renting tiny plots of land and producing little. Believing they could be stronger together, they are leasing our land for 3 years to see if they can make a go it. We are backing them with sheep and looking forward to bountiful yields! Women Rock!