Project Update (June, 2009)

Hi everyone,


Summer is here in NJ with its hot waves and cool rains, yet I often think of Zimbabwe that is in the midst of its winter term. In the village of Macheke, winters are very dry and rather cold at times. At dawn, some children will dare the barefoot walk to school in the wee hours of the frost bitten mornings, not knowing if this education will translate into something profound in their future. At dusk, some farm workers will brave the falling wintry air on their last chore in the fields that are yearning for harvested water. These images enhance my purpose to continue developing the Macheke Sustainability Project, and during this my summer, I have the guidance of two brilliant professors from Monmouth University’s School of Business. Dr Nahid Aslanbeigui is supporting my independent study research for the Social Business Development on the Macheke Sustainability Project. Dr Susan Gupta is support my independent study research for the Marketing of this Sustainability Project. It is very interesting that as I engage in this research, it is clear that Macheke is not very well documented and its people seem invisible online. So this means gathering raw data regarding the farms and the people that work them on both commercial and subsistence levels. Also have to find out more about the schools and how these children are growing their academics in these challenging times. I have to gather information about the local clinic and what services it offers when medication is unavailable. I am set to gather details about any other industries and service sectors that are thriving. With all this information, I will write reports that will hopefully define Macheke in depth such that the need is transparent. The idea is to take that information and make a more precise assessment of what must be done in order to achieve sustainability. Without intervention, the people of Macheke will make the list of those that fail to live within the Millennium Development Goals of 2015. I know that the future can be better than the present, and we have the power to make this happen because the voice of my community chants for renewal. My goal is to add value and meaning to the lives of many hard working men, women and children who are looking at this current situation of poverty with the great expectation that with any help, we can make it better… YES WE CAN!