Day 12 September 28, 2011 Bungoma

Greetings

Today did not start out as planned.  Hezron had car troubles this morning and we were not able to do the schedule today.  We also got a call from Mt. Elgon and it had rained pretty hard and the road would not be good until maybe in the afternoon.  So we had a change of plans.  Today we went back to Wamulu International and got all the application data for the passion fruit chemicals.  Robert had deleted one chemical since it was fairly similar to another chemical and the two chemicals should be rotated every six months and not used together.  I am only looking to supply the orchards six to seven months worth or until the orchard starts to produce income.  We are now down to thirteen different chemicals.  I wrote down the application data and tonight I spent some time putting all the numbers together.  The problem that we have is that not all the chemicals are needed at once and some chemicals only need to be used if there is a problem.  Once the problem arises then it will need applications to correct it.  In order to take into account every problem and give every plot the chemicals to combat every problem it drives the cost up considerably.  If we were to do only the recommended fertilizing and some pest management then the cost is well within the budgeted amount.  I really need to think about this longer and possibly look to have corrective chemicals in smaller supplies stored at various locations in case there is a problem at one of the orchards.

While we were at Wamulu we also took a look at the timber that Robert had looked at.  We talked with the owner of the land and his prices were way beyond what we wanted to pay.  Like four times as much.  After much discussion and Hezron doing his bargaining skills upon the poor soul we came to a decision that we think is workable.  Here in Kakamega we are buying the posts already cut and at our number 80 Ksh a piece.  Where Robert wants to buy his timber they are still trees and the owner wants good money for them.  How many posts can be gotten out of the tree is up for debate and you could win some and you could loose some.  Anyway I told Robert that we have a budget price based on what we can buy timber at.  He needs to have a certain number of posts for his area and if he does not have enough money to cover the cost then it is on him.

Nice straight pole trees

After the timber we headed over to the second of the areas plots.  This plot is on a hill and will house about 190 vines on fourteen rows.  After this plot we had a bite to eat and then it was off to see the third plot at Stephan’s farm.  Presently he has green beans planted and will plant the seedlings in the rows of beans.  This orchard will have about 110 vines on eight rows.  After here we were to go to visit some of the Bungoma sites but the afternoon monsoon came in and we were done for the day.  We decided to head back to Kakamega since it is very difficult driving when water does not run off the road and Hezron cannot see the potholes.  So it is very slow indeed.

Pauline's plot near Wamulu

A typical passion fruit hole

Stephan's plot with beans already planted

Tomorrow it is off to Busia with Pastor Ososo and Councilor Ben.  They will be here at the guest house around noon and off we go.  While in Busia we will be meeting with some of the fish farmers and take a look at the two plots while we are there.  I really hope that we can come up with a connection between the Western Province and the slums of Nairobi.  Every time I look and think of the slums I draw a blank on what to do there.  If the average income in Kenya is somewhere between one and two dollars a day then I would think that most people in the slums make much less then that.  Passing money from one pocket to the other in the slums really does nothing for them since there is not much money to begin with.  What is the answer?  I do not know but money has to come in from the outside somehow.    

Take care and be blessed.               

Dave