The Nature Network Group (TNNG) Gardening Project November 2021 to October 2022

Title: 

Establishing Gardens As A Livelihood Project For Refugees November 2021 to October 2022 

Introduction: 

An half an acre garden can produce year round Kale, Cucumber and French beans which use to supplement a diet for 15 persons. It is also an opportunity to engage in gardening thus gaining social -cultural developmental knowledge and skills.

The Nature Network Group (TNNG) has demonstrated this and we appeal for funding support which will go toward establishing and sustaining garden at our resource center.

We are the Nature Network Group (TNNG) founded in 2015 to provide a safer living space for beneficiaries. We operate a shelter, a resource center used for recreation and training sessions, Life Planning IEC development and formulation to promote quality of life, bed and hot meals to refugees. We are a vital dignity-affirmation safe space . Please see our Facebook page.

Financial Support Appeal: 

We are seeking financial support of KES 62,000.oo to go toward sustaining our projects that will serve five (5) purposes. 

The first is to demonstrate that empowered refugees contribute to self and local host communities. 

The second is to engage in a livelihood activities thus diversifying ways in which refugees can engage in productive work. 

Third is to use homes as cottage industries. 

Fourth is to earn income for sustenance. 

Fifth is to build entrepreneur skills as well continue working to promote industriousness among refugees.

Gardening Skills: 

Our  organization has space and persons skilled in running Gardening projects and we have used the skills to work with local community members where we buy and sell products thus earned money that was used for sustenance. Refugees face problems accessing income but through skills like gardening, they can work at home, make lasting friendships among host communities and contribute to the labour force. Please see our Facebook page for more details. 

The list of things we shall need is as follows: 

All money is in KES.

1USD:KES 100.oo

1.Hoes @500×5=2,500.oo

2.Rake@450×3=1,350.oo

3. Machete@350×3=1,050.oo

4.wheel barrow @600×2=1,200.oo

5. Seed input;(cabbage,beans, spinach, groundnuts,carrots,summary,eggplants)=3,500.oo

6. Watering can@480×5=2,400.oo

7. PVC watering pipe @ 20,000.oo

8. Weather Conditioned Green houses X 2@ 15,000.oo = 30,000.oo

Grand total= 62,000.oo

A Sustainability Plan: 

1. This project will stay long after the initial start up because we shall can use the skills to produce food and for sustenance. Planted food products are used to offset  rent and utilities. 

2. Gardening projects are a turn-key that enable one to use to produce food at home. 

3. Projects connect refugees to local host communities as a service exchange channel. 

Justification: 

The money will go toward expansion and sustenance of the project space serving both refugees and local host communities. It is both a skills development and serves as an income-generating activity too.

The Nature Network Group (TNNG) Poultry Project November 2021 to October 2022

Title: 

Establishing Poultry As A Livelihood Project For Refugees November 2021 to October 2022 

Introduction: 

A year long poultry farm, enables refugees to engage in income generating activities, skills development and stay connected with the local host communities.

The Nature Network Group Resource Center's Poultry Project demonstrates this.

We appeal for KES 270,700.oo to be used to operate a year round project at our resource center.

We are the Nature Network Group (TNNG) founded in 2015 to provide a safer living space for beneficiaries. We operate a shelter, a resource center used for recreation and training sessions, Life Planning IEC development and formulation to promote quality of life, bed and hot meals to refugees. We are a vital dignity-affirmation safe space . Please see our Facebook page.

Financial Support Appeal: 

We are seeking financial support to go toward sustain out projects that will serve five (5) purposes. The first is to demonstrate that empowered refugees contribute to self and local host communities. 

The second is to engage in a livelihood activities thus diversifying ways in which refugees can engage in productive work. 

Third is to use homes as cottage industries. 

Fourth is to earn income for sustenance. 

Fifth is to build entrepreneur skills as well continue working to promote industriousness among refugees.

Poultry Skills: 

Our  organization has space and persons skilled in running poultry projects and we have used the skills to work with local community members where we buy and sell products thus earned money that was used for sustenance. Refugees face problems accessing income but through skills like poultry rearing, they can work at home, make lasting friendships among host communities and contribute to the labour force. Please see our Facebook page for more details. 

The list of things we shall need is as follows: 

All money in KES

1USD:KES 100

1) 2 months old chicks Kienyenji @350×400=140,000.oo

2) Feeds Kienyenjigrowers@2600×40=104,000.oo

3.Saw Dust (14)sacks@150×20=3,000.oo

4.Disinfectant @300×4=1,200 oo

5. Vaccines and follow up care @ 20,000.oo

6. Transportation @2500 (One time off)

   Grand total = 270,700.oo

A Sustainability Plan: 

1. This project will stay long after the initial start up because we shall can use the skills to keep birds and eggs which are used for food and sustenance. The money from the birds and eggs is re-invested as well as offsets rent and utilities. 

2. Poultry projects are a turn-key that enable one to use the recycled water for gardening and manure as fertilizer. Eggs and mature birds high market sale value. 

3. Projects connect refugees to local host communities as a service exchange channel. 

Justification: 

The money will go toward expansion of the project space serving both refugees and local host communities. It is an income-generating activity.

It Was False Information, We Regret It, Founder of Safe Hands Expresses Heartfelt Remorse!

News about the death of Bukulu Stephen circulated on a Facebook page and it was passed around.

It caught the attention of many, among whom are the relatives of Stephen.

There was dismay, disgust and an anguished betrayal.

Who in their right minds could make false annoying announcements of this magnitude without doing background investigations?

Fortunately, the management of the organization that is behind this false announcement, has come out to set the picture straight by first apologizing to all concerned for putting up such an announcement.

Secondly, they have shared their follow up GIF showing their commitment to reverse the earlier made false notice.

Please be aware: Bukulu Stephen is alive!

Combined Effort By The Nature Network Group and the Refugee Coalition of East Africa Find Bukulu Stephen Alive, Slaying and Kicking! The Rumours That Bukulu Is Dead Are False!

A Report for confirming Person of Concern (POC) Bukulu Steven's where abouts.

We were concerned and perturbed. For one who stayed among us for the time the UNHCR asked us to be a temporary host was claimed by an organization on Facebook, to be dead.

We needed to do something to find out the truth and share it publicly. 

Was Bukulu alive or dead?

After receiving news about the purported passing away of our former resident Bukulu Stephen of Burudian nationality, we could not believe it and we had to ascertain the truth.

A poster from an organization purported that Bukulu Stephen was lying in a morgue at the Kenyatta National Hospital. This was on a Facebook page.

We have a system at the Nature Network Group, we take up matters using executive means and delegation of duty.

Chris and Sulah requested funds from the Executive Director Tom Muyunga Mukasa who authorised that the funds be used to facilitate transportation to investigate this phenomena.

We commenced on taking up the journey from our place to Kenyatta Hospital along upper-class Road.

We set off at 2:00pm and arrived at 3:20pm at the KNH.

Chris and I, first went to the administrative block to inquire about the deceased  person ,where we were directed to go to the welfare homes (morgue).

The records we found at the KNH revealed that POC Bukulu Steven was discharged from Kennyatta National Hospital in March 2021.

So, this information from an organization called Safe hands.org that is circulating around false information, is reprehensible, irresponsible, traumatizing, traumatic and must be denounced in the strongest words possible. Criminal investigations must be instituted too about this organization. We denounce this kind of insensitivity.

Please be aware:

1. Bukulu Stephen is alive, slaying and kicking lively!

2. The news that claims Bukulu Stephen is dead, is false and reprehensible.

Contact the Nature Network Group team or the RefCEA Office for more details.

We care and we show it!

November is No-Violence Month At The Nature Network Group

We have always used each day of November to address an anti-violence theme. We have done this since 2019. We use all our social media platforms to put up memes on a given subject. In continuation with building a non stigma, non discrimination environment, let us re-invigorate this culture please. Each one of us has their own Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or this or that social media platform. We all can do something like this if not already doing it. Thanks.

Robert (Bobby) Luzinda Has Shown That Three Weeks Is Enough Time For A Poultry Project To Continue Thriving

We met with Bobby and asked for a tour to the Nature Network Group Resource Center Poultry Project.

It is now three weeks from day one. The birds weigh about half a kilo.

They are aware of the persons who feed them and they appreciate by flying straight into them.

The experience of watching the birds grow stimulates and motivates.

It strengthens strategic purpose and productivity.

We are able to show case results of how we use our time too.

Get time to visit us and follow us as we rear our birds. It is enjoyable and educational.

My Freaky Friday Report! Oh Where Do The Days Go To?

Freaky Friday 

I am Sulah Mawejje, the Assistant to the Director and I am a proud member at The Nature Network Group. 

My week kicked off on Monday (18th/10/2021) at 8:00am and now I am taking you through the activity run up to Friday (22nd/10/2021) .

I woke up at 8:00am ,did my skin routine ,brushed my teeth and had my breakfast. 

Monday:

[  ] House Shopping activity conducted by house manager and treasurer(sulah,Samuel &Brian).

[  ] Residents Serwadda and Chris helped sulah to unload the shopped food from the car.

[  ] Scheduled organisation meeting. 

[  ] Anja Scheduled the TGNC meeting with the 5 CBO's involved. 

Tuesday:

Wakey, wakey.....skin self-care!

[  ] General cleaning at the shelter happened, all residents involved in and was spearheaded by the house manager.

[  ] We got a gig and our camera was hired out. This was authorised by sulah and Brian.

[  ] ORAM implementation meeting happened and all the 5 CBO's attended.

[  ] Organisation meeting happened though Madrine still was absent Without formal communications.

[  ] Tom Muyunga Mukasa to deliberate on the set date for the policy training at the shelter and a feedback to be given by Wednesday evening. 

[  ] Sulah will be away for a week from 24th till 31 Oct. 

Wednesday:

Wake up and do my selfcare routine.

[  ] ORAM signed the sub agreement and hopefully money will be by refcea on Monday next week.

[  ] Bella from ORAM contacted madrine on behalf Nature Network, they want to hire the photography &Videography team to Cover their events .

[  ] Zoom meeting scheduled today at 5pm est ..didn't happen though.

-The team and I mobilised a birthday party for a resident samalie which was intended to show her with love and bonding. 

Thursday:

Woke up.

Spiritual moment.

Skin care!

[  ] The much looked forward to zoom call with Bella from ORAM didn't happen. We hope to get more updates soon. Plan B is to make rearrangements as well as check in with Tom.

Friday:

Woke up!

Spiritual moment!

Skin care!

Dy personal administration activities and later check in on members.

Work before self is what fuels the Nature Network team to serve the community.

I read over the past reports and check in with Tom for validation. Tom asks me to read over the previous meeting report to check any needed edits.

I hope Friday ends well.

We Call It The Community Tuesday Too!

Community Tuesday at the Nature Network Group Resource Center has its many faces.

One such face is when we give back to the Shelter we live in by doing general cleaning.

Call it self-care with extras thrown in. Or minding the hygiene of our safe space. Whatever version or perception you take it, we enjoy the activities that make us more lively.

Welcome to Community Tuesday at the Nature Network Group Resource Center.

We Are Committed To Causes That Improve On The Quality of Life For People

Monday theme:

We can tackle, mental health, poverty and eradication of violence against women by being intentional. Play your role. #StopTBPartnership, #StopTB #StopCOVID19

#UNAIDS

Tuesday theme:  

There is TB, COVID-19, Malaria and HIV. And so there is poverty,  dignity for the girl and boy child. Change for the better. #StopTBPartnership.

#UNAIDS

Wednesday theme: 

Get your community to be part of the efforts to eradicate poverty, violence, TB, HIV, Malaria and COVID-19. #StopTBPartnership.

#UNAIDS

Thursday theme: 

You should find out what UHC stands for. Plan for finding out how you can benefit. Consult a healthcare provider. #StopTBPartnership.

#UNAIDS

Friday Theme:

Consider mental health positive action as well as TB/HIV/Malaria eradication by 2030. #StopTBPartnership.

#UNAIDS

Saturday theme: 

Are you part of the effort to eradicate HIV/TB/Malaria and COVID-19 as well as meeting the SDGs. Be part of your community resilience. #StopTBPartnership

#UNAIDS

Sunday theme:  

We insist that TB/HIV/Malaria and COVID-19 should never win. Empower people living with TB to fight COVID-19, HIV and Malaria. #StopTBPartnership

#UNAIDS

The Chicks Have Shipped!

It is that Friday, when our Resource Center is a beehive.

This time instead of the eagles landing, it is the chicks that have shipped.

Now the chicken have come home to roost.

Pardon my mixing of idioms. It is the excitement. Ululululululu!

Finally, we are to launch the Poultry rearing project.

Thank you to all who support our work. We are so grateful. We shall not disappoint you nor disappoint ourselves.

I Am Sulah Mawejje, This Is A Sneak Peek Into My Week 4th/10/2021 to 10th/10/2021

How My Typical Week At The Nature Network Group Resource Center Looks Like: 4th/10/2021 to 10th/10/2021

I sit down on my bed to take toll of how weeks at our combined use house are experienced.

I find myself listening to Sam smith's music and humming some songs by this famous English Artist. I enjoy all the albums but particularly  in the lonely hour and love goes  in Stereo make my emotional groove.

I feel a power of liveliness coursing through my body as I listen to the music. At the same I have this clarity of mind. A question crosses my mind making me reflect about this week.

On Monday, I made a list of activities to do for the day. I journal and ever since I took up the practice, I find I can appreciate my life even better. We have what we call self-care, self-worth and  self-esteem moments. I find  journaling is both the process and validator making me find my wholeness. I find me every time I write and recognize myself. I also find how I contribute to a greater experience of life through social capital contribution.

Caring for self enables me to gain and maintain a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical preparation and to be ready to take on roles that make me a beneficiary as well as a leader at the Nature Network Group Resource Center.

I am an assistant to the Co-Executive Director of the Nature Network Group as well as the accountant. Below is my journal.

Monday: Personal Administration, breakfast, check my contacts book for a builder, order for the Poultry House building materials, travel to town to identify a truck to bring the materials, generate the Tuesday meeting agenda, liaise with the in-coming ED about recurrent operations at the Resource Center, me-time, prepare for classes, dinner and rest.

Tuesday: Personal Administration, breakfast, check on members, arrangements to engage in House chores such as House and yard/compound cleaning, the team trims the hedge, collects all trash and we make a garbage collection point ringed with stones, the Poultry House building is progressing as planned, check in with in-coming ED, in-coming ED arrives and we clean all the washrooms together, we set up for the Nature Network Group meeting, it is the in-coming ED's inaugural and Welcome meeting, end of meeting and participants have lunch, departure for Independence Day celebration preparations, me-time, classes, supper, rest.

Wednesday: Wakey, wakey, checking messages, liaise with Poultry House builder, source chicken mash for growers, get in touch with brooder and make order for 100 chicks, liaise with ED, check in on members, set up for the Nature Network Group Independence Day mood celebration, in-coming ED checks on me about updates, have lunch, check in on members going to perform during the Uganda Independence Day celebration, me-time, classes, supper and rest.

Thursday: wakey, wakey,  Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, pay house rent, check food stock, generate reports to be presented to ED, receive chicken mash bags, consultation meeting with ED on house grocery and internet funds, me-time, classes, supper and rest time.

Friday: wakey, wakey, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, updates on arrangements for Independence Day celebrations at the Serena Hotel, checking in with ED about Sunday's meeting, arrangements for zoom meeting session for those who may not attend in person, check in with builder, arrangements to store chicken mash in dry place, prepare Poultry House for Chicken move-in, me-time, classes, supper and rest.

Saturday: Wakey, wakey, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, arrangements for Independence Day celebrations, travel to celebration venue, return home, rest.

Sunday: Wakey, wakey, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, meeting, lunch, me-time, supper, rest.

Tom's Typical Week Journal: 4th/10/2021 to 10th/10/2021

My Typical Week: 4th/10/2021 to 10th/10/2021

Normally, 3:00am is when I feel infused with a higher awareness. At University I did an entire Semester of reflection following Hinduism view to life. I borrow a lot nowadays from that experience,as far as being accountable goes. I take toll of how my  weeks are arranged. I am a Volunteer Community Outreach Advocacy Organizer as well as a Volunteer Mentor at a combined-use Home. So, one can only imagine how my time is used.

I find myself listening to Eric Wainaina's music and humming some songs by this famous Kenyan singer. I enjoy all the albums but particularly the Sawa Sawa and Dreams in Stereo make my emotional groove.

I feel an immense power of liveliness coursing through my body as I listen to the music. I don't understand the Swahili language that well but I use the Google dictionary to catch up. The rhythm and piano provide a pattern which gives clarity in my mind. A question crosses my mind making me reflect about this particular week.

On Monday, I made a list of activities to do for the day. I journal two formats of work because I volunteer at two places. Ever since I took up the practice, I find I can appreciate my life even better. I combine the principles of self-care, self-worth and  self-esteem. I find  journaling is both the process and validator making me find purpose, integrity, responsibility and wholeness. I search and find myself every time I write and recognize myself. I also find how I contribute to a greater experience of life through social capital contribution.

Caring for self enables me to gain and maintain a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical preparation and to be ready to take on roles that make me a beneficiary as well as a Community Organizer and a leader at the Nature Network Group Resource Center.

I am the current Co-Executive Director of the Nature Network Group. Below is my journal.

Monday: Personal Administration, breakfast, check my contacts book for social development, health and finance leads in different African countries, make Social-media updates on TB/HIV/Malaria/COVID-19 and other health promotion matters, mainstream SDGs in my work, check-in with the Kenyan, Ugandan, Tanzanian, DRC, Burundi and Botswana Advocacy Champions, check-in with my assistant at  the Nature Network Group Resource Center to generate the Tuesday meeting agenda, liaise with the assistant to get the feel of recurrent operations at the Resource Center, me-time, prepare for classes, dinner and rest.

Tuesday: Personal Administration, breakfast, check on all members, Community Outreach activities, arrangements to engage in House chores such as House and yard/compound cleaning, the team trims the hedge, collects all trash and we make a garbage collection point ringed with stones, the Poultry House building is progressing as planned, we clean all the washrooms at TNNG together, we set up for the Nature Network Group meeting, it is the in-coming ED's inaugural and Welcome meeting, end of meeting and participants have lunch, departure for Independence Day celebration preparations, me-time, check-in with Champions, update social media platforms, online classes, supper, rest.

Wednesday: another day yaaaay!! Wellness Wednesday, checking messages, liaise with Champions, Consultancy work on health promotion, assistant at TNNG sends report on chicken mash for growers shipment/getting in touch with brooder and make order for 100 chicks, check in on members, set up for the Nature Network Group Independence Day mood celebration, checks on the assistant about updates, have lunch, check in on members going to perform during the Uganda Independence Day celebration, me-time, classes, supper and rest.

Thursday: Thursday is UHC Day, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, pay house rent, get updated on food stock and other consumables at TNNG, generate reports to be presented by Freaky Friday, updated on shipment of chicken mash bags, consultation meeting with Champions at the office, the Champions take me out at a distinct Swahili dish restaurant, me-time, classes, supper and rest time.

Friday: Freaky Friday, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, updates on arrangements for Independence Day celebrations at the Serena Hotel, checking in with the assistant, generate this journal and make it shareable, COVID-19 test, meet the Children attending Soccer For Education training session and have a photo opportunity too, prepare to travel to the USA for an award presentation and Graduate School preparations, check-in with assistant about Sunday's meeting, arrangements for zoom meeting session for those who may not attend in person, updates on how to store chicken mash in dry place, prepare Poultry House for Chicken move-in, me-time, present Freaky Friday report, social media platform updates, classes, supper and rest.

Saturday: Wakey, wakey, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, arrangements for Independence Day celebrations, travel to celebration venue, return home, rest.

Sunday: Wakey, wakey, Personal Administration, breakfast, check in on members, travel to the USA....

We Are Excited, We Are Ready To Do This, We Are The Kenchic of Tomorrow!

We have got the Chicken grower's mash ready, some of us are preparing the Poultry house and the rest are cleaning the feeders and drinkers. It is excitement at our resource center.

Don't forget, happy Independence Day!

Another day yaaaay!!

The excitement is palpable. What with having chicken mash for growers shipment done, we just heard from the brooder about our order for 100 chicks, all members at the Nature Network Group have taken up roles and soon our team will be prepared to take on the charge of Poultry rearing. 

There is a celebration brewing. It is Uganda's Independence and some of our beneficiaries/members are to perform music, dance and drama for the invited guests at the Serena Hotel-Kenya where the Independence Day celebrations are to take place.

It is that Friday, when we all feel accomplished. I hope this jovial mood continues forever.