The project was fully-funded a few months ago but we have not yet released the funds due to a slight change in focus of the project. Our commitment to donors is to ensure that 100% of the funds get used for the project concerned. With the change in focus of the project we wanted to ensure that you donors, were comfortable with the change – and give anyone an opportunity for questions and comments.

Original Project:

The total funds for this project were originally going to be used to extend the vegetable garden by buying and erecting an additional vegetable tunnel, providing the seeds, fertiliser and other sundries to make the the vegetable garden financially sustainable.

Through the process of trying to help the community, Boikanyo learnt some valuable lessons. In her own words, here are some of the lessons taught to Marilyn Bassin, a director of Boikanyo.

“Earlier this year (in April), we realized that the morale amongst the vegetable garden volunteers was low. We wanted to know what the reason was for this, so we met with the volunteers for a discussion. It transpired that the volunteers did not want Gayle (also from Boikanyo) and me to be around – the volunteers wanted more independence. Gayle and I took a step back, and agreed to letting the volunteers run the garden without any input (besides monetary) from us. After 2 months, we returned to find what was formerly barren and unused ground transformed into lush vegetable garden, with every inch having been utilised. A recycling area had also been set up at the back of the garden, and serves as an additional source of income for the community. It was clear that things were thriving in our absence, and that we had to leave the volunteers to make decisions about the future of the garden.”

Amended project:

Having attained the competency to run the garden themselves, the vegetable garden volunteers have asked that the money donated to the project be used differently. They have asked that the R15 000 that was raised with DIfferent.org as well as an additional R10 000 they raised separately be used to install an automated irrigation system. With the high temperatures ahead for summer this may improve their productivity and reduce the amount of labour required to water the garden.

Below is the summary of costs for the automated irrigation system:

MATERIAL COSTS, SUNDRIES & SUPERVISION R 10,070.85
LABOUR R 12,000.00
TOTAL (Excl. VAT) R 22,070.85
TOTAL (Incl. VAT) R 25,160.77

Should anyone require a more comprehensive breakdown please contact us and we will provide you with this information.

Boikanyo is hoping to implement the amended project fairly soon but prior to implementation, we wanted to know if anyone has any objections to changing the scope of the project. We value input and take our commitment to keep all donors informed on how projects are progressing very seriously.