Pigs!
I have already got my hands in the pig farm.
-Piebald
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, one of my main projects has been working with community support groups for HIV+ people. A few months ago we received a grant for two such groups- one for a group in Bigasa Sub-county, and another for a group in Kitanda Sub-county. The grant is funding the construction of a “piggery” (pig sty/shelter) and two improved-breed pigs for each group. The group members will practice community farming to rear the pigs, and piglets will be distributed to group members for personal rearing. Things are still underway with the project, but here's what has gone on so far!
The Bigasa Piggery...
Group members unloading cement:
Measuring:
Members clearing the land for the project:
A load full of sand is delivered:
Mixing:
They start making the foundation!
Me pretending to help smoosh down the concrete:
My counterpart Frank (right) discussing things with Nakiwala, the chairperson of the group. (Nakiwala is a name from the same clan as my name-Nakivumbi- so she and I are "sisters.")
On World AIDS Day, lots of important people visited the project.
Me and the District Agricultural Officer (center):
The almost-finished structure:
The group members gave me a chicken:
Group members and the piggery!
The Kitanda Piggery...
Group members unloading bricks:
The foundation:
Bena (group chairperson) and my counterpart Frank discussing what to feed the pigs:
Bena has a really awesome matooke plantation, and she gave me a huge bunch: 
Bena and me:
The Kitanda Piggery!
There are going to be more educational sessions and a group study trip to a really well-run piggery in a nearby village, and we plan to get the pigs in May!
posted by Jess @ 8:44 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
It's going to seem really random some day when your children ask you a quick little question about piggies, and you're able to spout off a ridiculous amount of information. Or maybe when a pig question helps you win jeopardy.
-laura
I am so glad you were able to get these piggeries underway! Wouldn't it be great to go back years from now and see it in action? I hope the villages can get it up and running soon. This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy ate matooke all the way home:) Okay so I didn't do all of the toes...I just couldn't resist the nursery rhyme:) Love, Mom
This sounds like such a great project-practical in a very technical sense, but practical in an emotional sense as well-I can't imagine why raising a piglet wouldn't have some of the emotional benefits that other animals do for people with terminal illnesses.
Just a question though- what do you do with all of those chickens and bananas? Can you share them with the convent/other people you stay with? Do you just keep the chickens?
Will this piggery produce the pigs for food? Will the individuals get attached to the pig that he/she raises? Can they be sold to help earn a living for the individual? So many possibilities with this project. I can't believe that the piggeries are already built and ready for stocking! You all accomplished quite a bit in a short amount of time once you got the grant. Way to go. Kudos to all.
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