For the last year we have been working very hard on a project proposal with IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) and during June we where able to sign this proposal. We are so grateful to God for this. The grant is for $200,000 over two years and this will allow us to get the training program under way, develop the curriculum and pay our staff costs for the next two years. We are also working on other proposals with CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) which, if successful, would provide beyond this period.

The money can’t be used for the infrastructure but when our house is complete this will free up the new building we are currently living in to be used for its original purpose, as the farmer training facility. We are grateful for the help of the Francis family from the UK, who have recently returned home after 9 months with us, who helped us to renovate several houses in the village, which will provide accommodation for visitors and farmers.

August Basson - Growing Nations July 2009