Dear Friends,
Too much time has passed since we posted our last newsletter. Why? We did not want to give you bad news, the world is full enough of that, so we waited until we had a reason for hope, which we do now have.
Second, our editor Lorraine was not well but Claire (a volunteer from 10 years ago) is stepping in. Christoph and Rey have also helped a lot – as they do in so many ways – so thanks to of all our wonderful helpers, zikomo kwambiri. And our best wishes to Lorraine!
Financial challenges
When looking at our finances, we found that we had to do something. We had spent so long without income from some of our usual sources like the lodge and restaurant, and the prices of maize and other local food had increased so much. Ukraine is very far from Tiko, but we still feel the effects of the war. Ukraine is an important source of various grains including maize, the price of which is so high that people cannot afford it to feed themselves or livestock.
So, in August we had to make the difficult announcement to reduce our workforce by one third. We found only 18 volunteers we could manage without, and 7 of these wanted to continue to work at Tiko for less money and with no extras. However, we are trying to help them start an income-generating activity from some of these projects which give us hope:
SOLUTION No.1. DONORSEE Programme
You may know about DONORSEE, an aid programme where individuals send a video to DONORSEE showing what they need. When they have been helped by an individual in the USA or Australia, they then send a personal thank you video. It was on our emails, and Rey made it his mission. As you can see, members of our crew have certainly made great strides in making videos. Here are some examples of three fully-funded projects:
- Weather proof Susan’s home to prevent it from crumbling
- Buy school uniforms for Tigris’s children
- Help Bernadette Get Her Full Secondary Level Certificate
Have a look at all our other micro projects available to fund here at DonorSee
You can support Elizabeth to buy iron sheets to finish her home here, or go to the main link above to see lots of other projects awaiting funding.
SOLUTION No.2. Global Giving (great solution from long ago)
This live project is already 85% funded: With chickenfeed against climate change & poverty – GlobalGiving
The latest project:
Only last week, we worked out an emergency hunger project on Global Giving, after finding help from an unexpected source. Sebastian Scott (right with the Tiko crew), a name in Zambia as an agriculturalist, offered to teach our crew how to plant maize properly and achieve a big yield on small land. We would usually use our own compost and not artificial fertiliser which isn’t so good for the soil, but were advised to include it this time as much of our soil is so degraded and sandy, and we don’t have enough of our own l8 day Berkeley’s compost variety.
If the project works, we will assess how many bags of maize can be grown from half a lima (a quarter acre) and will widely publicise it. To my joy, Sebastian also believes in our compost for next year, so we hope to avoid the need for artificial fertiliser next year!
SOLUTION No.3. Nico, One of the Future
Nico is a motorcycle world traveller and captures his travels in videos with more than 1.5 million viewers to his YouTube profile. He visited Tiko three years ago and shortly after his video about Tiko we received many donations from Spanish speaking people all over the world, who saw is episode about Tiko (click this video here). Nico had the idea to help some of the projects he visited during his trip around the world and is starting an NGO to help him do just that.
SOLUTION No.4. Federico and Otto 8 Per Mille (During Covid & number 2 for the future!)
We have already completed a project with “Otto 8 per Mille” from Italy, which you can find out more about here: 19 Steps Out of Poverty. We’re planning a new project in this spirit with the help of Otto 8 per Mille – we will keep you informed!
SOLUTION No.5 Special visitors – Unexpected but so well received!
We told you about a number of volunteers in our last newsletter, but that good luck continued – with loads of luggage and so many parcels!
So, apart from distributing wonderful clothing and shoes, we are busy sewing small shoulder bags, so we don’t lose our cell phones; holders for reading glasses; a new type of skirt; and have new pencils like Kenny is modelling here.
One special treat was the help of Hannah, who conducted some research with children with severe and moderate malnutrition, where our ONENEPA did wonders. This will help young children in our early childhood centre where 43% of children are found to have stunted growth. More about this is the next newsletter too!
SOLUTION No.6. Greenhouse for hydrophonic fodder
We have only just learned that our greenhouse for hydroponic fodder will be finished before Christmas. More info to follow!
SOLUTION No.7. Black soldier fly project
UNDP have answered our grant application for a Greenhouse of black soldier fly larvae. They have requested recommendations from official places in Katete, most of which I have already collected…only the Chief is hard to get hold of. More info to follow!
And big thanks as always to all of our supporters all over the world
Thank you to Sue from New Zealand who helped us incredibly when covid had struck, and is still helping right now.
And visitor Claudia who took this photo at Lusaka airport when she left – showing the mini amount of luggage she’s leaving with, after bringing 2 more big suitcases and a bag! As did, actually, Jens and two wonderful students he brought.
This is Alistair (transport) and our Deputy Hildah.
So would you agree that at Tiko we correctly think WE SHALL OVERCOME?
With very best wishes to all our readers and friends, with gratitude from all our hearts, and a very happy warm Christmas and a peaceful New Year,
Yours ever
Elke and the Crew
Tiko online!
Just in case you haven’t seen them, here are the links to our Facebook, YouTube and even Linkedin.
And all information about visiting, volunteering and rooms on our website: Tikondane.org
– For donation information please have a look on ‘Support Tiko‘, Global Giving or our fundraising page at DonorSee –