Grain from the desert-2

Abundant Grain Sprouts in the Deserts of Egypt..!

The Bible is tells us about a wonderful promise: ‘The desert will bloom.’ We see that happening in Israel, and it is going to happen in Egypt! The first project in 2023 was so enthusiastically received that we will now launch a 2nd project!

Urgency
In the southern part of Egypt is a lot of poverty. Around the city of Al Qusseya, the majority of the population lives even below the poverty line.  Unemployment is huge in this area. About 30% of the population is Christian. These people, like their Muslim neighbors, suffer due to lack of work and income. The situation has worsened greatly in 2022 as food prices have doubled. Everything is imported; the country itself produces far too little food.

Project
The Nile Valley Foundation, under the leadership of founder Jos Strengholt, has been active in Egypt for 30 years. They work intensively with the Coptic Church in the Al Qusseya region. The church is an important ‘player’ in this area. It wants to give substance to poor care in a practical way. In that context, it wants to purchase a total of 189 (!) hectares of desert land with the aim of clearing it into cropland for the cultivation of grain.

‘Your one-time donation will give thousands of our church members in Al Qusseya the help that allows them to survive.’ –  Bisschop Thomas from Al Qusseya

Approach
We started a 21-hectare pilot in 2023. A well was drilled, the land was fertilised, an irrigation system was installed. Grain was sown in November 2023, which is now growing in the desert, and in May 2024 they hope to bring in the first big harvest. The majority, or 60%, will be used to bake bread for the poorest of the poor. The remaining 40% of the harvest will be sold and the proceeds will be earmarked for doing necessary repairs to the irrigation system and to buy seeds for the next season for those 21 hectares.

Impact
Each year, this 21-hectare project will produce 150-180 tons of grain (wheat). With that, 180,000 – 200,000 loaves of bread can be baked! Enough to feed about 1,000 destitute families (about 5,000 people) each year. In the context of food security, this project offers a great perspective. Moreover, through this project 150 farmers will also have work, and be trained in ecologically responsible farming.

Costs
The church wants to develop the next 21 hectares of desert by 2024. To do so, short-term funding (before June 2024) is needed for drilling a new water source, construction of irrigation systems, fertilisation, and procurement of seeds. In addition, there are costs for project supervision, etc. The one-off cost for this project is €149,000, of which €41,000 is needed to realise the water source with associated electricity-powered pumping unit. Once the project is up and running and the crops catch on, no more donation money will be needed after the first harvest! This is therefore a one-off support needed to get the ‘engine’ of grain production going. After that, the project can continue independently and is financially sustainable.

Unique ‘investment’ project!
This project appeals enormously to the imagination: 21 hectares of desert become cropland! The pilot last year was successful, so now we want to continue. Would you like to ‘invest’ in just such a project? With your one-time donation, you can make a big difference. In doing so, you will help Coptic brothers and sisters who are already struggling in Egypt to be able to feed their children.

Missioninvest also offers you the opportunity to participate personally in this project. The total donation required is €149,000, or converted €7,000 per hectare. The beauty of your support for this project is that the donation you sow now will provide a huge harvest year after year!