Project Update (July 15)

Just wanted to write in and give you some info on where we are with the Macheke Sustainability Project (also please see my previous blog entitled “The Proposal” which presents an image of the PowerPoint slides that spell out details of the Project). Please note that this project is work-in-progress and we will continue to refine it as we get the support we need.

Training:
Maharishi University of Management is willing to participate in training Macheke Sustainability Project (MSP) Members on sustainability, bio-diesel, wind-turbine technology and other renewable resources. We would like to take advantage of the information available online, but since Macheke does not have internet access, it is challenging to get the people on the ground all the training required. It is vital to empower the members of MSP with knowledge on various aspects that are linked to the goals of this project. Many projects in Zimbabwe have failed because of inadequate or poor training; hence our reaching out to the best Institution there is for Sustainability. Maharishi University is an honorable partner in our project because they include the concept of spiritual living in their studies. The one thing that still remains in Macheke is the undying African Spirit and having an institution that respects this is fundamental to us. The small grants programme of the UNDP in Zimbabwe is also interested in supporting this training project. I am looking to gather funding for this training from UNDP Zimbabwe.
Still on the subject of training; we are putting together a suitable curriculum for an Entrepreneurial Course to be provided to Monte Casino Girls High School students. This is the first academic institution to be included in the MSP. The role of the school in the MSP is to produce a new breed of young Zimbabweans that are keen on sustainable social business. The goal is to prepare these students for a career of entrepreneurship in a way that uplifts the community; especially during these grim years that the Zimbabwean economy is in. We are looking to get some funding support to install internet services in Macheke from Swedish Cooperative Zimbabwe and Kellogg International. We are also looking for support from any organizations or individuals that can provide books and leadership on the Entrepreneurial Course we intend to offer to Monte Casino Students. The course should begin in January 2009.


Farming Equipment & Infrastructure:
We submitted a proposal for funding to The World Bank Development Marketplace 2008. On June 23 2008, we found out that the World Bank did not select our proposal to be in the running for the winning project-proposal. The World Bank holds this competition each year and more details about this are available at: www.developmentmarketplace.org . I intend to set up a meeting with the team at the World Bank that can provide leadership on how best we can make this proposal “fundable” because I feel that given the current situation in Zimbabwe, a proposal on Sustainable Agricultural Practices deserves more support than “We regret to inform you that your proposal was not selected as a finalist in this year’s competition”…
We are in talks with the following organizations that have been very responsive to our request for funding and/or support: United Nations Development Program Zimbabwe (UNDP), Small Grants Programme sector of the UNDP, Swedish Cooperative and Kellogg.
We have also submitted proposals to the following organizations but have not received responses that are hopeful for support: Clinton Global Initiative, Gates Foundation, Acumen Fund, Oprah

Going Green:
Farming -- Please note that we are aware of the global food shortage which would make it unethical for us to grow corn for bio-diesel purposes. The farming aspect of the Macheke Sustainability Project will commit to growing grains and vegetables for delivery into human consumption markets. The main goal for the MSP is to practice effective agriculture that uses sustainable practices that are good for the environment.
Bio-diesel Plan 1 -- Collect used vegetable oil from all restaurants within a 50-mile radius [we know that every restaurant in Zimbabwe fries chips!!!]. This used oil is currently being dumped down the drains and not being disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way. We will use a filter [we found a company that makes such filters here in the USA] to filter out the food remnants. That "clean" oil will be used as bio-diesel to run diesel engines and remove the dependency of foreign petrol/diesel. The food remnants can be dumped into the bio-gas plant since food is bio-degradable.
Bio-diesel Plan 2 -- Begin farming the "diesel plant" that was discovered in the Nyanga-region of Zimbabwe. This plant will be pressed to provide oil to produce more bio-diesel as an aid to the used-oil
Waste-Free -- The idea is to make all processes in the Macheke Sustainability Project "waste-free". So the concept of re-cycling will be at the center of all operations. Maharishi University will provide some ideas of how we can embark on this -- we intend to improve our recycling processes until we are a waste-free community. This will be a great example for the country and it will be very feasible because we can conquer the environmental issues one community at a time.
Vision -- When we get the support [financial, training, etc] we need for our community's vision, I see Macheke setting a great & sustainable example that Zimbabwe has long awaited. The objective is not to have only 5% of the population prosper financially but rather to have resources being pumped back into the community to continually improve our schools, medical centers, roads, communication systems, water/electric supply, etc. Large revenue will be generated and a great brand of products plus young great minds will come from this. All members of the community will reap benefits of living in a sustainable community and the renewal of our dignity will begin. I believe that everyone in Macheke who feels lost or forgotten today will be re-connected to their spirit medium because this project respects the MIND/BODY/SPIRIT wellness. My leadership on this project is based on being able to TRANSFORM and to be of true service to an invisible community. The education we will focus on is that which is relevant for our Zimbabwe Students and the part which we must play in the global economy. The idea of top-down hierarchy has never been fully relevant for the African Social Customs, so we hope to go back to our history and form an exemplary community where every child born has a home, access to education, decent healthcare and the freedom to invent something useful for the generations to come...


The list of things that are in need of funding on this project:
1. training --- renewable resources for the MSP project members
2. internet access
3. farm equipment & infrastructure
4. processing shed equipment and infrastructure
5. renewable resources equipment and infrastructure
6. education --- entrepreneurial course for local high school students


Contact Names:
UNDP [small grants programme] : Khetiwe Mhlanga-Moyo
UNDP: Ambrose Made
Swedish Co-op [or Kellogg]: Marcus Hakutangwi
Farm # 1: William Madziva {011-756516 or 0912-831295 }
Farm # 2: Sister Martina
School # 1: Sister Helena
Maharishi University: David Fisher
Macheke Sustainability Project - primary contact : Moleen Madziva { +1-732-771-5443 }