Kibwezi Project
The Kibwezi Dream
Philemon Foundation with the support of Connect Africa, Uganda bought a piece of land. It is in Kibwezi County where Connect Africa trained Philemon staff will be making Bio-sand water filters. The project will be officially launched on 26th July 2011. For a long time Kelvin has had a vision of a rural HalfWay Centre for juvenile offenders and ex-prisoners in Kenya.
With your help, that dream may soon be realised.
Philemon intends to build a self-sustaining centre as a juvenile half-way house, workshop, enterprise, farms and missionary retreat, located away from Nairobi to encourage a fresh start, to allow rural trade education and to minimize costs.
Some building has started and needs funds to complete.
The Kibwezi Land
The original plot currently has one complete house and one half complete. A family live there together with Patrick, an ex prisoner. Patrick is building water filters for CA and the family is cooking for him. They are all supported by Philemon.
Now a second plot of land has been negotiated by Patricia Mwikya, and bought through Patrica's family connections. The land is located 5minutes walk from the original plot and is 8 acres in size. Most of the money, 250,000, for the land was provided by Connect Africa to facilitate the growing partnership with Philemon. A further 150,000 is due in August. Kelvin is hopeful that this will be covered also.
Both plots of land are semi arid but are near to a permanent stream, and have water flowing beneath, confirmed by a government official. Neither plot is currently connected to electricity but a process of rural electrification slowly taking place.
Nearby land is being used by the government, mango farmers and an HIV rescue centre.
The land is far from the temptations and additional costs of Nairobi.
Here more from Kelvin and Timothy in the videos below...
The Building Proposal
The existing building project was funded by a gift from Kamotho, a former Chair, Philemon Kenya.
Originally, the plan was to finish building the second house on the original plot when further funds allowed, and use it as a base of operations for Kelvin to oversee the project.
Then a housing complex would be built next to the original houses to host visitors, guests and helpers. Originally, this complex was also to include space for delinquents and ex-prisoners. Professional plans for the complex have been donated by an architect with Philemon connections. The centre is designed to be a large facility for short-stay, juvenile delinquents an longer term ex-prisoners. With the further purchase of land, this may change.
Next, a series of enterprise facilities would be built on the original land, to train ex-prisoners and to provide an income stream.
Water can be drawn from a nearby stream and purified in the water filters, until a water borehole can be built.
Philemon is currently in process of deciding what use should be made of the new plot of land.
The Enterprises
Water filters are currently being built in partnership with Connect Africa, which is a solid partnership CA an Philemon would like to grow. The water filters have been ordered by CA and are to be sold to poor rural African families to provide them with safe drinking water. CA will arrange transport from Kibwezi.
Bricks can be built with a new cement technique, which does not use fire to set the bricks. These bricks can be marketed locally cheaper than fired bricks, so prevent local deforestation and also provide income.
Crops are being grown on the land, including mangos, cowpeas, pumpkin and watermelon.
Ex-prisoners will be provided with board and lodging, and will be trained up in carpentry, agriculture, and other trades. The proceeds will be given to Philemon for start up capital and for income for Philemon. The market for such ex-prisoner trades is likely to be more favourable than in Nairobi.
Here more from Kelvin in the videos below...
The Challenges Ahead...
A) Philemon is spending a large amount of money on transport to its land and prison visits. A van would reduce costs and provide a potential hiring income stream. A van would cost 1.3 million Kenyan Shillings or £10,000.
B) Philemon may need to find some money for the remainder of the Kibwezi land.
C) Philemon needs funds for urgent land security costs, being fencing for the new plot and a temporary structure for Patrick to sleep in to provide protection.
D) Philemon needs funds to finish building and prepare the half-built second house.
E) Philemon needs funds for the total cost of the building projects.
Can You Make The Difference?
You can donate to Philemon through JustGiving at http://www.justgiving.com/philemonuk/.
