FARM | openmindmicrofinance

Farming Program

In 2009, Dr. Louise Jilek-Aal, founder of the Mahenge Epilepsy Clinic, started a farming rehabilitation program for people with epilepsy in Mahenge and Luhombero villages. This program gave clients the opportunity to work and provide for their families often for the first time in their lives. The program has taught several participants basics of farming so that they may start their own projects and, more importantly, has taught them how to hold a job. Father Placid Kindata, who oversees the farmers, reports “The older clients are generally doing well now and seem to love their work; they seem to be happy all the time. I often talk and chat with them, sometimes I also work with them. In the beginning they did not know their rights and duties but now this is no longer the case.”

The Future of the Farm

Father Placid has big ideas for the farm. He plans to install a drip irrigation system, which will make our farm the only in the village to supply crops all year round. This promises to bring increased revenue to the farm and ensure a stable future for the farmers with epilepsy. It will also help feed families in the region, who often are hungry during the dry season. We need to raise $1500 for this exciting new system. Please write "farm" on your donation if you would like your funds to go directly to the drip irrigation system.

New Beekeeping Program

Starting this spring, people with epilepsy in Luhombero will have the opportunity to learn beekeeping. In the middle of a dense forrest, Luhombero has a large population of honeybees and dwarf bees. Program participants will learn to tend to the hives and will be free to sell their honey at local and regional markets, where it is in high demand. The wooden hives will be built by our vocational scholarship recipient, Amir. If you would like to help, consider donating $35 to build a beehive and jumpstart a small business. You can learn more here!