Journals
Lyle
I’ll always remember my trip to Uganda. We hit a few hurdles on the way, but every project has something you can’t predict. I really felt like it was my trade skills that made the difference.
December 2019
After partnering with the Reece Foundation, me and the Love Mercy Foundation are planning to set up a pilot for small permaculture farms in central Uganda. If it works, we’re going to try to scale to a horticulture project that brings in both fresh food and money for locals, as well as connecting up irrigation and water sources.
I’ve already spent time over in Uganda on a feasibility study. With no soil lab to send samples to, I went back to basics. I had to do my own manual calculations, stuff I hadn't done since I was first training.
“Honestly, I kind of appreciated the mental challenge knowing it was for a great cause.”
May 2020
You know what they say about the best laid plans. Covid showed up, so we had to work with it. Our permaculture pilot was paused, but we still wanted to do something – it felt even more important to help. We worked with the Foundation and a team in Uganda to drill manual bore pumps in two remote communities.
Fresh water is now flowing, which means no more six-kilometre walks just for a safe drink.
“That’s the sort of good you can do with your trade skills - skills we take for granted… you bring knowledge that the community doesn’t have access to.”
Whilst it wasn’t exactly the objective of the initial campaign, I’m stoked we were able to take another angle and help people regardless. That’s what it’s all about.
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