2. Motivation Current NGO’s are City based and avoid rural commitment – which is far more challenging than Cities Current education efforts of school going children, base curriculum on local education curriculum mostly and not on world class Minimal consideration of the millions of orphaned children’s needs in education and social structure/security/skill-talent development The combination of schooling/sustainability/self funding/eco/spiritual/talent/full professional support – is not a present imperative in a semi rural environment in SA To establish a self sustaining community staffed by committed and talented individuals, assisting in the short and medium term, orphaned children, who have lost their shelter, food and security, in their traditional community, within a holistic education and stimulation personal growth environment. This is not a rehabilitation project. Aims Supporting the mission by: Providing education of international standard. Providing skills training. Provide emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual recovery and growth. Provide for the development of non-academic talents. Provide society with immediately employable and trainable citizens who are well adjusted to maximize personal contributions. Create a eco-sustainable-community model that can be replicated many times over.
3. Staffing Qualified and experienced in outcomes based education of the CIE variety (Cambridge International Education, a globally recognized school curriculum, based on the British system, still retained in many countries – e.g. India, Nigeria, Ireland, Zimbabwe); Ideally they will be local South Africans but failing this, they will be what are known as “edu-tourists”. The community will be permanently managed by a group of probably 4- 6 functional leaders. The “administrative” and “management” employees, are singles/families who: are qualified and/or experienced in a variety of fields, not limited to: Education & sport/physical development. Sustainable development Psychology & primary health care, medical/paramedical Specialist crafts (woodwork, metalwork, fine arts, ceramics and pottery, sculpture) Finance, accounting, business management Not for profit organizational experience Natural building/design/construction methods. The “facilities” and “farming” employees, are singles/families who: are qualified and/or experienced in agricultural production/aquaculture/tunnel farming/reforestation/indigenous plantations, arbourculture, environmental management etc., ideally also trained in using sustainable practices. These may be farmworkers or previous subsistence farmers, having lost their material wealth through natural disaster, or professional farmers, looking to contribute to society in a more holistic manner.
4. Funding Funding will be required in 3 distinct phases; Land & setup; first 18-24 months (construction); as needed. The objective is to be self sustaining, without a fee system, with remuneration for permanent community members, commencing within 3 years from ground breaking. Real Estate/Land. Options to be explored – land will not be owned/given to, the project: A long term/perpetual lease from the state. Individual/Consortium of private philanthropists. Initial Major Capital Required for: Infrastructure – (e.g. housing, roads, other buildings, dams, machinery, utilities, energy creation, and security equipment). Livestock & seed related – (goats, chickens, aquaculture fish, vegetable seed, fruit trees primarily). Consumables to support the above development of the site. Transportation and vehicles. Working Capital Required to: Sustain the permanent community for the first 18 – 24 months (to first cash crops/harvest). Ongoing Capital Carbon credits sales already secured for the development of new forest plantations and “spekboom” plantation. The establishment of commercial ventures that are owned by this non-profit organization. All net revenues will flow to the non-profit. This is a departure from how traditional non-profits operate, but in my view, the only way to be financially sustainable. These ventures will be managed separately but subordinate to the other operations so as to retain operational integrity and focus.
5. Staffing (cont.) Ancillary & Complimentary Various alternative healing, other creative skills, sports, etc., will be developed as part of the holistic development fundamental. On issues of faith, this is not a Christian movement but one of a holistic faith based life. Christianity Islam and Judaism have much to offer, and this project will not be founded on any one religion, but on an interfaith One God/One Creator/One Higher Power if you like, concept. The Community The community will consist of the above and their families, housed on site, with the additional members and their families, necessary to give effect to the mission and aims. Ad-Hoc specialists. A larger pool of assistance will be required from time to time, to assist occasionally on a project basis, in the following areas: Water management. Soil management. Energy management. Nature conservation. Security. Small business development in “cottage” industries. Legal and financial management and services experts.
6. Location The site will be located in a best situated area, which best matches the following average conditions: 40 – 80km’s from the nearest permanent human settlement in excess of 1000 people. Within 200km’s of a large/major town/city. Rainfall: - above average summer rainfall consistent in quantity and quality for agriculture. Perennial river – as close to source as possible. Viable & reliable borehole water. Site land gradient not to exceeding that necessary for adequate drainage. Frost free or minimal. Windspeed: - Average not exceeding 20km/h, gusting of 10% per annum not exceeding 40km/h is ideal. Temperature: minimum - above freezing (deg. C). Maximum - not exceeding 35 Deg 10% per annum. Free of Malaria/foot and mouth/equine flu. Soil: suitable for 12 month crop rotation and construction material. Easy of land preparation for crops to be considered (e.g. avoidance of rock base and marsh land). Vegetation: Proven sustainability for rotation limited grazing – typical Southern African grassed savannah, with plentiful Acacia or “acceptable” other forestation. High lightning areas to be avoided. High average humidity (over 80% for more than 6 months) to be avoided. Known drought areas to be avoided if possible.
7. Building & Structures Where possible, buildings will be constructed out of accessible natural materials (wood, clay). Steel, cement and brickwork to be avoided as far as possible. Ideally only used for fireplaces required for domestic requirements. Energy requirements to be provided by gas, solar and hydro power. A school building initially with 4 class rooms for maximum15 pupils per room. Two school children dormitories with ablutions – boys and girls separate – capable of housing 50 children maximum each. Two adult dormitories with ablutions – if needed. Enclosed communal kitchen with communal hall connected – 300 occupant capacity. Partially enclosed external communal gathering place. Place of worship. Medical clinic. Homes - for permanent community. Approximately 5 “guest lodges” with 4 star level of facilities and services, for use by visiting benefactors. This could/may develop into a paying retreat, serving as a means of income and training. Administration building. Animal pens as required (chickens, goats). Processing building for cleaning, packaging and storage of agricultural harvest. Storage for fodder. ‘Cold room” – (water chill method ideally). Dam for the storage, trapping, for provision of human, livestock needs and irrigation where necessary.
8. Land Development Sewerage/human waste/waste water to be water borne to one or more collection points for bacterial processing into, e.g. recycled irrigation water, methane, fertilizer. Farming land for seasonal cash crops – (summer and winter). Farming of feed for livestock. Farming of full range of crops to sustain community. Grazing land of goats – sustenance or cash crop – to be decided. Composting and recycling area. Roadways not to be surfaced except where absolutely necessary, and then only with natural materials. To be designed to best prevent water erosion (e.g. parallel to contours). Much thought has been given to fencing and security measures. Initially only livestock areas will be fenced, with further development to be considered as needed.
