Updates from Ngombor on the ground team

Tree planting

We have been able to plant 300 eucalyptus, 200 white teak and 300 teak as part of zone 4, in total we now have over 2000 trees planted in the zone. As part of maintenance we are currently weeding the trees and the Napier grass that we planted as part of zone 4. Zone 4 is the area of minimal care with wild plants, pasture, and trees for fuel and timber. Some trees died because of inadequate rainfall during the growing season, but we will plant more trees the next growing season, which will complete the zone 4 planting. Then we only need to maintain and see the trees grow.  For more information about permaculture zones, go to Farm Plans on our website.

In the food forest, our citrus plants did not do well because of inadequate rainfall and we suspect the soil pH did not suit them. You cannot easily get soil pH tests in Uganda. While we work to get soil testing kits from overseas we will continue to do experiments where we learn more about what grows well and what different microclimates on the farm will support. Bananas and paw paw (papaya) are growing very well, and they prefer more acidic soil, so we believe we have soil well suited to cacao.

Updates from Ngombor on the ground team

Crops

The beans that we planted in the food forest will be ready for harvest in early December, while the ground nuts will be ready towards the end of December. The output has been terribly impacted by the extended and unexpected dry season that stretched for over 2 months but we are glad that at least the soil will vastly benefit from the contribution of such crops as beans that fixes nitrogen, acting as cover crop hence improving the soil health.

Updates from Ngombor on the ground team

Construction

Exterior construction of the main building is complete The pit latrine is also complete and it is now in use, though the doors are not yet fixed while the doors and windows of our first building have been fixed and the construction of the chicken house has begun. 

It will be a three room chicken house:

• Room 1 will have chickens (min gweno), turkey and guinea fowl that will be free range

• Room 2 will house the rooster (kulok) that will be semi-free range

• Room 3 will house ducks and geese

Updates from Ngombor on the ground team

Group revolving fund

The group is involved in a Village Savings and Loan scheme whereby each member contributes UGX 1,000 per week, this money together with the return from sales of crops is used as a revolving fund for the group members. Registered members borrow money from the group account at a low interest rate to support their various ventures. Some members use the money for local business while others use the money for farming and this has brought a lot of positive changes in the lives of members, which can be seen from how timely the members pay back and how they are able to express how much they have benefited from the scheme.

International volunteer team

A quick note from Liz

This Thanksgiving I’ve been incredibly grateful to be able to volunteer for a cause that supports indigenous people (many of the members of Ngombor are Alur, a Luo/Nilotic people with a close relationship with the river Nile). I’m grateful to all the incredible volunteers of the Ngombor on the Ground team who are so determined to use the bit of support we provide to create powerful, positive change in Nebbi district, Uganda. 

I’m grateful to our international team of volunteers. Whether that’s writing the Seed Money fundraising campaign (thanks Lucy), having our story heard by more people (thanks Manny), helping us mature our IT development program (thanks John), providing ongoing permaculture consulting (thanks Kate), or the aunties and uncles who have given me wise counsel or words of support (which include but are not limited to Bob, Doug, Astrid, Dan and Helen). 

And I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but thank you to all our generous donors. You’ve given us a foundation to build from with health and safety. Our next fundraising efforts will help Ngombor raise more of its own funds which will go into the group revolving fund. This group revolving fund is so valuable for building opportunities and supporting each other in times of difficulties. People are often reluctant to go see the doctor unless their illness is very severe, so people don’t always get the care they need in a timely way. With a larger group revolving fund it will be easier for people to have the financial security to get medical support. 

Through our support we are helping dedicated change makers on the ground do very real and powerful work. Things that were thought of as crazy (such as even trying to grow crops on the type of land we have) have been proven to be effective. I am so grateful to be able to support a cause where I have absolute confidence that the money sent will be spent well. Where it will be used by people of good judgement with long and deep relationships with their communities to make a difference.

I’m thankful that SeedMoney accepted our application to be one of their projects for their 15 November - 15 December fundraising campaign. Any donations made there will help us go into 2026 with a budget we can make plans with, rather than hopes we need to scramble for. You will give us the gift, trust and self determination of a budget to work with when making strategic plans for 2026. 

In gratitude,

Liz

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