rulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.org

rulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.orgrulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.orgrulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.org

rulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.org

rulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.orgrulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.orgrulenge - NGARA agroforestry initiatives.org
  • Home
  • Vision and Mission
  • Official Project Plan
  • Intro to Maleba Farm
  • The Maleba Farm Begins
  • Update October 2025
  • Impact of Agroforestry
  • Food Insecurity

Preparing the Land for a Sustainable Coffee Future

The digging of coffee planting holes is actively progressing at Maleba Farm.   Each hole is required to follow specific measurements to ensure healthy root development and long-term productivity.   Once the holes are properly dug, the soil will be enriched by mixing in organic manure.  This essential step will create fertile ground for the coffee seedlings, giving them a strong start and pave the way for healthy growth and abundant harvests in the future.  Through these efforts, Maleba Farm is not only planting coffee but also nurturing sustainability and hope for their community.  

 All of this work is done by hand using simple hoes.  The people doing this hard labor are local workers who depend on small payments each week to provide for their families.  When funds are available, they continue the work.  But if the money runs out, the work must stop until more money can be raised.      

The field supervisor, David Bukozo, inspects the work carefully.  David is a dedicated member of the Maleba Farm staff, and is seen verifying that the holes match the required dimensions.  

Conditions in the field where we are working with a dug hole

 Right now, the most urgent needs are to buy enough manure and to purchase coffee seedlings.  The first goal is to plant 1,500 seedlings as a beginning.  However, the long-term dream is much larger—the hope to plant up to 10,000 seedlings if enough funding is available.  Having this number of trees would not only provide steady income in the future but also make the farm self-sustaining,  and able to support the mission and the local community.  

Clearing the ground for the Avocado Project

At Maleba Farm, preparations are also underway to open new land for avocado cultivation.   As the photo shows, the current work involves removing trees and uprooting large stumps to clear the field.  This demanding task is being done entirely by hand, since there are no machines available to uproot stumps or cut roots efficiently.  As a result, a great deal of time and energy is lost.

The trees that are being cut down will not go to waste.  Using a borrowed chainsaw,  the wood is cut into firewood and distribute it to orphaned children and secondary schools in the Diocese.  In this way, the Maleba Project does not only serve the farm but also extends a hand of support to the wider community, especially to those with special needs.  While the work is slow and labor-intensive, the vision is to transform this land into a flourishing avocado plantation that will benefit both the farm and the surrounding communities for years to come.  Our goal is to continue to pray and appeal to benefactors who can partner with Maleba Farm in this mission—so that with their generosity, Maleba Farm can move from hand tools to modern machinery, turning challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.

Securing the Future of Maleba Avocado Cultivation

The land currently being prepared for avocado cultivation at Maleba Farm is deeply dependent on the seasonal rains.  During the rainy months, the soil becomes fertile and supportive of healthy growth.  However, when the rains delay or fail, the fields quickly turn dry and hardened, leaving the young avocado plants vulnerable to stress, poor development, or even total loss.  This reality puts the entire project—and the hopes of many families who depend on it at great risk.  To overcome this challenge, we are earnestly seeking support to establish a solar-powered drip irrigation system.  Such a system would allow the workers  to deliver water directly to the roots of each tree, ensuring consistent nourishment throughout the year.  Unlike traditional irrigation methods that waste water, drip irrigation is efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.   Powered by solar energy, it would also free the farm from reliance on costly or unreliable fuel sources.

With this system in place, Maleba Farm would not only secure its avocado harvests but also serve as a model of climate-smart agriculture for the entire region.  The benefits would reach far beyond the farm itself:  stable food production, new sources of income for local families, and an enduring contribution to environmental stewardship.

We humbly appeal to benefactors and partners to stand with Maleba Farm in this effort.  By investing in solar-powered drip irrigation, you will be sowing into a future where every drop of water counts, every avocado tree thrives, and every community member has a reason to hope.  Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that Maleba Farm becomes a beacon of resilience and sustainability.

Preparations for the Maleba Farm Caretaker’s House and Offic

 Beginning the early preparations for the construction of a caretaker’s residence and a few small offices at Maleba Farm.  These offices will be crucial for keeping proper records and ensuring close monitoring of the project’s progress.  Building a caretaker’s house requires significant funds, the first steps are beginning slowly.

A truck can be seen beginning to transport stones/rock for the foundation. These stones are loaded entirely by hand—without the assistance of machines.  For the workers, this is a physically demanding challenge, but it remains the only way forward since there are no machines available to load the stones.  After being packed by hand, the t

A truck can be seen beginning to transport stones/rock for the foundation. These stones are loaded entirely by hand—without the assistance of machines.  For the workers, this is a physically demanding challenge, but it remains the only way forward since there are no machines available to load the stones.  After being packed by hand, the truck finally delivers and unloads them at the construction site. 

Mr. David Bukozo,  of the Maleba Farm staff, is giving instructions on how the work should proceed.  This year, if we are able to raise enough support, the goal is to lay the foundation of the building.  Once that is in place, work will pause and wait in hope for further assistance from benefactors who can help complete the work.

The presence of a caretaker on the farm is absolutely essential.  A caretaker living on-site provides daily supervision of the land, protects farm resources, oversees laborers, and ensures that the crops and trees receive constant attention.  Without someone permanently present, there is always the risk of delays, losses, or mismanagement

The presence of a caretaker on the farm is absolutely essential.  A caretaker living on-site provides daily supervision of the land, protects farm resources, oversees laborers, and ensures that the crops and trees receive constant attention.  Without someone permanently present, there is always the risk of delays, losses, or mismanagement that can affect the success of the entire project.  By having a caretaker’s house at Maleba Farm, there will be proper management, accountability, and a strong safeguard for the investment and the mission entrusted to this land.  We therefore appeal to our friends and benefactors: your support in this project will not only build walls and offices—it will provide the very heartbeat of the farm’s daily operations and long-term sustainability. Together, we can ensure that Maleba Farm becomes not only productive but also a well-managed beacon of hope for the community.

At Maleba Farm, every step taken is guided by the vision of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and local empowerment.  Maleba Farm is excited to announce the beginning of a significant development: the construction of the caretaker’s house. The first visible milestone is now underway, as large trucks deliver stones to prepare for the foundation.

It is important to note that this beginning does not mean that all the funds needed for the project are already in place.  Rather, work moves forward gradually, using resources as they become available.  At this stage, the funds received have enabled stones to be transported.  With additional support, work will soon move to the next critical stage—laying the foundation.  This step-by-step approach reflects both  commitment and trust in the collective effort of friends and partners who share this vision.

The caretaker’s house is more than a building. It is an investment in the continuity and stability of Maleba Farm. A dedicated caretaker living on-site ensures:

  • Consistent management of farm operations.
  • Quick response to emergencies and daily needs.
  • Protection of resources against risks and losses.
  • Long-term sustainability, as the presence of a caretaker      guarantees that the vision of the project is carried forward with      responsibility and care.

Alongside the house, there is also a plan to include small offices for record-keeping and farm oversight. These offices will play a crucial role in documenting progress, storing important data, and supporting transparency in the farm’s management.

This development is a vital part of Maleba Farm’s strategy to grow into a model of agroforestry that serves the community, supports food security, and protects the environment for generations to come.  Each stone laid is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the shared commitment to building a future that is sustainable and life-giving.

Please Consider Providing Support For Our Project

  

The vision for Maleba Farm cannot be achieved alone. We warmly invite friends, partners, and well-wishers to join us in this journey of transformation of Maleba Farm.  Your support—whether through financial contributions, building materials, or technical expertise—directly strengthens the foundation of this project.

  

Together, we can ensure that Maleba Farm continues to grow as a place of sustainability, environmental care, and human empowerment.

✨ Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Help Maleba Farm

Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals to fund Maleba Farm.  

US contributions are tax deductible.

Donate online below or by mail at:

     Rulenge-Ngara Agroforestry Initiatives

     777 Willoughby Lake Rd

     Barton VT  05822

Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

Copyright © 2025 rulengengaraagroforestryinitiatives.org - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

  • Home
  • Vision and Mission
  • Official Project Plan
  • Intro to Maleba Farm
  • The Maleba Farm Begins
  • Update October 2025
  • Impact of Agroforestry
  • Food Insecurity

Check out our progress on Maleba Farm

We're Growing !  October Update !

Learn More

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept