The Farm

The Farm and Vocational Training Center is now under construction in Nyakagyezi not far from the Nyaka school. The Farm is part of the Nyaka AIDS Foundation’s model and is key to the sustainability of both schools. It will be an income producing enterprise and a center for the vocational training of graduates of Nyaka and Kutamba who do not attend secondary school. Other residents of the surrounding communities will have access to training and services for a fee. Given that 50% of the Ugandan population is under the age of 20, the need for vocational training is urgent and opportunities are severely lacking for those who do not have marketable skills. Each year that passes we lose thousands of youth and their potential because they lack educational and training opportunities in order to acquire gainful employment. So, orphans and poor youth who cannot afford to attend school after their primary education will be able to attend the vocational center for free or at a subsidized rate. Those who can afford training will pay a small fee to sustain The Farm’s operations.

Fifteen acres of farmland located close to the Nyaka School have already been purchased and the seller is willing to sell more should we need more. The owner of the property has offered to sell the land at below market rate as a way to support the work of STSAD, Inc.

The Farm will produce enough grain, vegitables, meat, and milk to at least provide for the children at Nyaka and their immediate families. A milling machine will be used to process maize, millet, and cassava flour. Dairy cows will provide the milk. Once the school’s milk needs are met, we will sell the surplus product to sustain the dairy operations. We will sell most of the surplus product to civil servants at the district headquarters, Kambuga Hospital, to our employees, and our guest house visitors.

The meat slaughtering process along with the harvesting of tomatoes and onions will be timed to coincide with Christmas when the village is flooded with family members coming home for the holidays. The manure needed for the food crops will come from the cattle and poultry. When the farm is at full capacity we will be able to employ 60 paid community residents. Hiring needs will include a farm manager and individuals who have specialized knowledge for each production area.

The tailoring, wood working, and brick making programs will procure apprenticeships that will teach the skills needed to produce goods for local schools and churches. These enterprises will be able to competitively secure local contracts with institutions. A micro-lending program will be available to vocational graduates after two years of apprenticeship.

As for future contracts to purchase food produced by the farm, we are confident that local schools and churches in the district will become our customers, as well as the government which operates a correctional facility in the district. They need professionally made uniforms, food, and furniture. Local schools require uniforms for their students. All buildings in the area are constructed from bricks that can be made at the farm facility.