A Finer Focus

“Agriculture is not only the chief among those fundamental and ancient tasks which have been essential to the survival of mankind, but also ranks first among the prerequisites to industrial and other developments.” H.I.M. Haile Selassie I.

 Our efforts to unveil the development potentials of the land have just been heightened. The long awaited well is up, though halfway, thanks to the selfless Livication of the farmer from the East, Ras Malonza. The elder farmer took a break from his community demonstration farm in Kitui in Eastern province to come to Maragua with the focus of leading the construction of the well. The experience that Ras Malonza has obtained out of grounding himself upon the land for years is very vital, and this is what he’s come to selflessly offer at Maragua and at the same time share the skill with the young farmers.

Well commencement.

On the 10^th February, the digging of the well commenced and after going about 6 feet deep there came out water! What a joyous moment it was.

Just struck Water!

Well, after striking the water, the well requires the concrete reinforcement be established. To embark on this construction, first, we prepared the concrete blocks. 

After mixing our grit, cement and water, we used a curved mould to make these blocks in order to achieve a round-walled well.

Thus, we managed to put the foundation and build four courses of blocks high before we ran out of construction materials.

The aim is to dig the well further up to at least 10 feet. This deepening is done skillfully and carefully. As we go deeper the concrete sinks such that eventually it will sit on the bed of the well. As the deepening is going on, more courses of blocks are added simultaneously while the amount of water increases.

The Well under construction.

Eventually, the well will be finished with a protective top covering to keep it free from contamination such as the surface runoff during the rainy season.

However, the time is very critical and urgency is of essence; this is because it can be quite difficult to construct the well during the rainy season which is just around the corner! Moreover, the softening of the soil can lead to the well collapsing, thus rendering our humble efforts vain.

This, therefore, is a call to you who have the goodwill and wish our nation development to come forward and give a hand towards sourcing the remaining materials, and this will carry the nation of Afrika a long way. Thus we need:

                                   Sand – 7 wheelbarrows

                                   Cement – 3 bags

                                   Wire mesh  

                                   Column wires – 3 pieces

Harvesting

This activity has been going on for the last one month or so. By now, the remaining seasonal crops are out of the fields, with maize, groundnuts and soya beans being the last batch to be harvested. 

Bumper! This is organically-grown indigenous maize.

 The decent harvest has proved the potential of the land, meaning all the farms around this community have equal capability. When this potential is fully realized, this is when we’ll be talking about the community being on the right track of development. This is the primary reason why Shiriki Organization, with the indispensable cooperation from the local folks and likeminded individuals, organizations and groups, has come to Maragua to execute.

Art

 In the afternoon the sun gets quite hot and working in the open farm can be draining. The youth farmers, therefore, normally venture into art and craft making. The Bredrens possess numerous skills ranging from weaving to jewellery to shoe-making.

Ras Muiruri on the Loom making a scarf.

Every Sunday, we always have an exhibition of our merchandize in the local Maragua Market, and the people are mostly appreciative of our works. Currently, the demand of our Sustainable Shoe, commonly known as Akala, is getting higher by the day. Besides obviously providing income for sustainability and development, through art many local people have been able to learn much or rather be reminded about our rich Afrikan culture which has been taken away from many.

School youth have been reporting in our camp to learn art skills and this is a good augury of a self-reliant generation coming up. Through collective efforts, these cottage industries will grow into formidable industries serving more people within and without the community.

Electrification is very crucial at this stage for with a reliable and efficient source of power, young people can work for extra hours at night. Over and above, this will pave way for the employment of machinery to allow for speedy mass production.

Fitness

It’s clear how tough the activities going on in Maragua are, and so the volunteers have to be militant. In order to achieve and maintain this level of militancy the youthful farmers have cultivated the discipline of rising early and running round the community, then doing some work outs.

Community Elders

In our Afrikan culture, we the youth are taught to respect our elders and out it we receive blessings. In fact we honor them that our days on this land may be extended, as JAH command. Additionally, we chant in Rastafari Prayer that the ‘aged be protected’.

"Aged be protected..."

 

It humbles every spirit to see how the elders in Maragua have been reciprocating to the honor and Love they get from the Rastafari youth at the Shiriki farm.

"...and Infants be cared for"

A couple of days ago, Ras Muiruri and Ras Rukundo trekked to this ancient mama on a mission to help her till her land for she is an ardent farmer despite the frail physique. The question remains, where are the young men and women of this community? And the answer is quite apparent for the young men are into unintelligently designed industry of motorcycle transport.  And if the men are not in the farm, who shall attract the young women to till the land? So the sisters have found themselves in this exodus to the urban where they offer themselves for pure exploitation.