Self Reliance Farming Initiative for Esther's Children Home.

No End To Love is raising funds for a Self-Reliance Farming Initiative for Esther's Children Home. The Children's Home was started by Vincent's Mom, Esther. Vincent and his wife, Alice, now run the home and rely on "well-wishers" for the needs of the children and the necessities to run the home. They consider all under their care, "family"!

When Vincent was asked how the Farm Initiative had made a difference so far he answered with the experience so far and the hopes he has as the initiative is able to be expanded.

"It was a difficult time for the whole family. Not only did they struggle to put food on the table, but their hunger impacted other parts of their life. Even Children performance at school deteriorated.

Until last year things changed now the home has normal 3 meals a day after sustainability farming project. We look forward to expanding the farming project to help support the home in many more ways like insurance cover for the kids. We pray for funding to help us meet our target. God bless you!"

Vincent lost his job during the Covid pandemic. His salary was used to keep things running. With the loss of his job, things are very tight. They have worked to be self-reliant. We were very impressed when we visited the orphanage in April 2022 and witnessed how they use and reuse their resources.

The farming initiative is very close to being self-sustaining. Just a little more assistance is needed to have it paying its own bills, feeding the children and having a little extra for school fees. Below the chart explaining the immediate needs is more information about the initiative. and the orphanage. The next harvest which is planted and growing will not be ready until after the lease is due for another year. If the lease is not paid the harvest will be lost. The power of the harvest to sustain and support the children and their caretakers will show its strength when enough funds are raised to lease another 6 acres of land. Time is of the essence.

Immediate Needs -
$ 835 - Seed, fertilizer and ploughing for the next planting season. Due - July 2023.
$ 110 - Weeding support for the current 9 acres under cultivation. Due Date August 2023
. (An Additional 2 acres was leased and planted in March 2023.)
$ 685 - Lease on an additional 6 acres - Due ASAP$ 690 - Seed, fertilizer and ploughing for the 6 acres - Due ASAP.
$ 180 - Seed potatoes and fertilizer for 2 acres - Due August 2023.
$ 2500 - Total needed for the Farming Initiative to be self-reliant and self-sustaining.

Both Monthly and One Time support is gratefully accepted. Thank you for loving and supporting the 35 children and their caretakes, Vincent and Alice.

No End To Love first became involved when we answered a social media post on their behalf for a rain harvesting system to be installed so water would be more readily available for the 35 children who live at the orphanage. Having their own water supply is also a savings in both time and money. No End To Love facilitated the installation of the system in the fall of 2021. We also understand they have been generous in sharing water with their neighbors.

When we visited the orphanage on our trip to Kenya in April 2022, books were given to the children and a food relief package was delivered. A menstruation presentation was given and menstruation kits were distributed to the teenage girls.

As we discussed how we could best assist at the orphanage moving forward, a decision was made to start the Self-Reliance Farming initiative. The orphanage is located in Kisii where the soil is fertile, rain is adequate, and Vincent has previous farming experience. Vincent located land and 7 acres was leased in June 2022. With the first harvest, the 7 produced enough beans, wimbi (a breakfast grain) and maize to feed the family and orphans but not enough to sell.

Vincent had asked to lease a total of 15 acres but available funding necessitated starting out smaller. In March we managed to add another 2 acres. If 6 more acres are added, based on the initial production, enough money will be earned each harvest to sustain the farming initiative and feed the children. The aim now is to get to the original acres requested in order to achieve self-sufficiency.