Paul's Reflections

When I told people about going to Rwanda before we went, I said we were going to do "animal husbandry", not knowing exactly what we would do there on the farm part of the complex. I knew there would be children and staff, but was not sure how much we would interact with them.

The children from the home were a joy to be with and so eager to get to know us and share time, fun and games. I was amazed also that children from the community outside the home were almost as friendly and curious. The staff at the home was dedicated to serving the needs if the children and to serving the Lord. People in the community were warm and friendly, and curious.

We worked with Eugene, the farm manager and local veterinarian, and looked for improvements for the farm and it's operation. We supervised the construction of a pit silo to provide feed during the dry season, and construction of water troughs in the dairy cow pens.

Labor was carried out by Rwandans, providing paying jobs. We rebuilt rabbit houses, and helped create a system of rabbit ear tattooing and record keeping for a better breeding program. We put in the final touches on the chicken egg incubator, and the first batch of eggs was placed inside. We built an oversized chicken tiller (mobile chicken house) out of African hardwood, very heavy!!

Arlene was away in the States most of the time we were there, but we were able to share some time with her and hear her vision for the home and children.

Joanne's Reflections

Interacting with the children of Urukundo was very special. I was happy that they weren't as sad about our leaving as we were - Mama Arlene said that they have become vert accustomed to the fact that many different visitors come and spend a short time with them and then leave to go home. They are definitely a family - a different kind than mine or yours maybe, but a family nevertheless. I pray the children continue to grow, learn, and stay healthy.

It was a good team, and we got along very well, although with only 4 people it was much smaller than other mission teams we've been a part of. It was great for us that Dave and Kira had been there before, especially since Mama Arlene was not there the majority of the time that we were. It was great to see Dave share his agricultural knowledge and it was wonderful to see things through Kira's young, less traveled, set if eyes. And, as usual with these trips, I think we "got" a lot more than we "gave".

*Hiking to the source if the water.
*On a motor scooter heading to the market for supplies.
*On safari warding off the swarms of black flies.

Kira's Reflections

There are no words to describe my recent trip to Rwanda. I feel as though every time I visit that beautiful country, I leave my heart there; I leave a piece with the children, a piece with the breath-taking countryside, a piece with Mama Arlene, and of course, a piece with the farm animals.

It was great being able to reconnect with all the children at Urukundo again. They have all grown and matured so much since last year. I am very proud if each and every one of them. They are all making amazing progress in school, and their English is better than ever.

I pray they continue to make strides in their education and in their daily lives. They have such amazing potential! Needless to say, I cannot wait to return next year!

*Johnny
*With Oswald at and agriculture conference
*Playtime
*At worship

Chickens at Work

Last week I had a story about the how's and why's of a chicken tiller in farming. Arlene, just back from her visit with her family in the US, took a tour of the farm to see all the improvements Dave, Kira, Joanne and Paul made while teaching and working with Eugene the Urukundo Farm manager, farmers, vets and students. She was so impressed and thankful for their expertise and hard work.

Here are new photos of the chickens at work! And the children learning all about it.

Dave's Reflections

"One of the things that make for a really good mission trip are the people on the team! I had a wonderful group to take to Rwanda this year. Kira Hydock and I went with Carol Falke last year so we had some idea of what to expect but it was a new experience for Paul and Joanne Steindorf.

We had two weeks to finish a number of agricultural projects to help in the food production at the Urukundo Home. We were able to dig and fill a pit silo 2 meters deep and 3 meters across with the help of local farmers. This will provide the cows with food for the dry season.

We tattooed the ears of rabbits for breeding purposes. Much needed repairs were also provided to the rabbit cages. We also helped with providing watering tanks for the cows to make water available at all times. A chicken tiller was built to demonstrate how chickens in a controlled environment can take care of weeds and insects in a given area while tilling and fertilizing the soil. Temperature control equipment was added to an egg hatching incubator so they can hatch their own chicks.

We still had time for playing with the children and joining in their worship service each evening. It was nice to see them all dressed in their uniforms each morning as they went off to the new school. In some small way we hope that we could help them have a better life. They gave us a lot of love in the two weeks that we were there and we hope to return again soon." ~~DAVE

Dave checking one of the community water tanks that began this partnership with the Urukundo Children's Home and Learning center.

Chicken Tiller

I found a great website/blog called ModernStead which is a guide for small-scale homesteaders who want to live a simple, more self-sufficient life that nourishes both the body and the soul. On April 3, 2013 Julie wrote a story about chicken tillers which goes well with the work the team did in Rwanda.

The article:
"My chickens worked overtime this spring clearing weeds and grass for my new vegetable garden bed. Every few days, I moved their 5'X10 run and they went to work scratching, digging and tilling.

My five little hens cleared a 15'X20 area in approximately one month. The only thing I did was rake the dried grass and weeds out of the area after they did their thing. The chickens did the rest. I kid you not!

As a bonus the girls left behind a little fertilizer. Chicken manure is super rich in nitrogen and the best organic fertilizer available. I plan on adding a little more of this valuable commodity from a pile of "coop cleanings" that is now composting. It is important to let the manure break down in a compost pile a few months before using it. The amount they produce where they till isn't enough to do any damage. From what I can tell, chickens do most of their pooping while roosting at night.

Don't worry about my chickens having to work for their room and board. They enjoy being outside eating bugs and grass. It's what chickens do!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The team built this chicken tiller for the gardens. It turned out to be so very heavy but once in the garden it had wheels so it could be rolled. Everyone worked on it including one of the boys from the Children's Home, John Paul. This was also a new project that the farmers from the community will follow to see if it can be used elsewhere.

Goats and Kira

Kira, a PSU Schreyer Student in Veterinary Science and International Development. She was on the August team and now is on the current team in Rwanda. Her thesis topic has been approved - The Study of Goat Operations/Herding in Rwanda.

Kira ~~ I have been extremely grateful to the farmers here in the Muhunga District for their willingness to speak with me about their goat operations. So far, I have spoken with 3 farmers and/or farm managers, as well as with two veterinary students and Eugene, the veterinarian here at Urukundo.

With the farm managers, I discussed the types of problems and constraints they have encountered while raising goats here in Rwanda. The major problem appears to be diseases and parasites. I was surprised to find that most people consider cattle the most profitable and goats the least profitable of livestock ventures. This was shocking to me because of all the research I had performed prior to coming to Rwanda spoke of the profitability and benefits of raising goats over cattle. I guess the information depends on the bias of the researcher.

Eugene, the farm manager, had some great suggestions in terms if improving goat herding. First and foremost, improved access to laboratory diagnostic tests would more readily allow vets to diagnose and subsequently treat diseases with which they may be dealing. In addition, more demonstration farms, such as the one being operated by Mama Arlene at Urukundo, would be more beneficial to educate local farmers in better animal husbandry and disease treatment techniques.

The vet students I spoke with also offered great perspective about the field of veterinary medicine in Rwanda. It is seen as a highly coveted field with many jobs available upon graduation. Interestingly, sector vets only need to complete secondary school, whereas district level vets must complete 4 years of university. District vets provide direction and instruction to sector vets actually working in the field.

Needless to say, I have had an incredible experience speaking with all these individuals. I am learning a great deal about goat herding practices and veterinary medicine in Rwanda. I still have another goat herder to interview before I leave for the US. I can't wait to see the techniques they use!!

Photos of goats at Urukundo and at a farm taken on several trips.