Sikizana Rescue Centre Repays Loan for Greenhouse Construction Early
Written by TGE Volunteer, Barbara Kohn
TGE is extremely pleased to announce that The Sikizana Rescue Centre in Mtito Andei, Eastern Province, Kenya, has repaid its loan of $1,100 in full on July 28, almost two months early! TGE approved the loan, which was signed on September 21, 2020, to support the child rescue center’s construction of a large 8m x 24m greenhouse.
Originally, Sikizana applied to TGE for an 8m x 24m greenhouse. However, TGE-funded greenhouses at schools and homes are only 8m x 15m in size. The TGE Board agreed to the larger funding request with the stipulation that Sikizana repay the cost difference in full within one year.
TGE founder and president Rod Mickels said of the loan repayment, “We are very proud of our partnership with Sikizana and the success of the greenhouse. The larger size enables the rescue center to have two different crops growing and rotating at once, which they sell to a local resort. The greenhouse supports TGE’s mission to support income-generating projects.”
While Covid slowed down the sales to resort buyers, Sikizana was able to raise the funds bit by bit to repay the loan even before the agreed upon due date. Cosmas Nzilili of Sikizana said, “We greatly appreciate TGE’s support and look forward to future collaborations. We hope to continue to establish more income-generating projects, such as an egg production operation.”
Past Fish Farm Collaboration
In 2019, Sikizana reached out to TGE for funds to construct a fish farm that would provide a healthy supplement to children’s diet and a continuous source of income.
TGE Board members assessed the project for sustainability and impact and found that it aligned perfectly with the organization’s mission to improve living conditions and create sustainable business programs. The next step was to put the project on the TGE website to generate donations. Within six months, TGE raised $3,355 necessary to cover construction materials, labor, and the first six months of fingerlings and feed.
To donate to this project or others that support TGE self-sustaining programs in underserved areas, visit our current projects.