Partnership Ref.:	ZAM01d
Partner:	Gershom Kasongo
Commenced:	20/12/2008
Funding Status:	Completed - Self-sustaining
Partnership Type:	Community / Agriculture Development
Funding Size:	$15,000 - $99,999
Annual Budget:	US$ 0
Connected To:	ZAM01c

Partnership Overview

KERO farms has been set up to support the orphans in Beracah Orphan Care and to provide employment for people in the local area. The key person in this partnership has pulled together a team of people to establish a commercial farming operation in the Kawambwa District of the Luapula Province of Zambia. They are passionate about alleviating the poverty of their people, especially the orphans in their churches.

Their primary focus is to generate funds to support the orphans and to give opportunities to other poor people. Bright Hope World is assisting them to set up the farm and to get it to the point of generating profit.

History Of Partnership

Between 2002 and 2004, 300 hectares of land was granted to Bright Hope World and KERO Farms by local chief Kabanda. This land was developed into vegetable crops and fish ponds in order to create income to support orphans in the area. An assessment of the farm was conducted in 2005/6 where it was evident that growing vegetables was not providing a viable income due to the distance of the farm from the markets.

The purpose of this project is that for a three year period, commencing in 2008, a boost will be given to fund extra development costs so the farm will become self sufficient much sooner.

Beneficiaries

Indirectly the orphans and vulnerable in the Mushota, Kawambwa area of Zambia.

What We Like About The Partnership

We really like the concept of a farm that is self sustaining, creates employment and development in the area and supports the local vulnerable people. We also have a lot of confidence in the key person and the team he has pulled together.

It has the potential to be a significant contributer to the local economy and to generate profit for distribution.

This partnership has all the ingredients to work. There are a number of barriers to it being effective that are and will need to be worked on. These include lack of support infrastructure for farming, resistance to new methods, jealously and lack of skilled employees.

 

Key People

Leadership Profile

The key person is Gershom Kasongo. Gershom has given his life to this area of the country. He shifted to the Mushota area in the 1980s and became a church planter. There were few churches in the area. He has been responsible for planting over 20 churches that form the backbone of Beracah Orphan Care and KERO farms. He and his wife Jenipher have seven children. Two of them have been lost to local sicknesses. It is not an easy life to live.

As well as being a church planter, Gershom is an entrepreneur who seeks to find solutions to the desperate needs of his people.

Other People Involved

Gershom has a team of people on a board to oversee the development of this partnership.

 

Vision And Annual Strategy

Each year in August a strategic review is held and a revised strategy developed for the following year.

The farm is now at the stage where it is self-sustaining and no further funds for development are required.