We have Neem POACHERS!

Call out the hounds.  Bring in the army.  Alert the U.N.  We have Neem poachers in Kibaale District.

Poachers in progress.  Not Uganda

In other environments, poachers have decimated animal populations or fields of poppies.  I confess I once copped a few ferns out of my neighbor's yard when I was much younger.  Actually, my favorite shovel is called a "poacher's spade."   However, we have just discovered women from a village near Kayanja where we have an acre of Neem trees growing to maturity, sneaking over in the early morning hours to strip off leaves for their own personal use.

We believed that the benefits of Neem were somewhat known in the area but we never expected people to realize that if they have an ailment, they know Neem is the remedy, and go trooping through the Buffalo Grass to find a plant. This is one of those good-news, bad-news stories.  I am elated that people know of the curative benefits of Neem.  But, as we plant more - and more than 2,000 of our 12,000 seedlings have been transplanted to date... we may experience more filching of the foliage.

This is not a development that requires fencing or dogs or police.  It is, in fact, a very wonderful development because our overall goal is to help people in the villages be healthier and resist disease.  The more Neem is put to work, the more enthusiastic will be the acceptance once we begin offering trees to villagers.

The project is on track.  We could use some funds to plant more seeds.  We continue to seek partners for our planned Neem Study.  Click HERE to contribute if you wish.

Welcome to the Neemiverse

The world of Neem stretches way beyond the Kibaale District of Uganda.  Nearly a dozen countries in Africa have active Neem development programs and the stories of the tree's miracles continue to flow in.

Neem Trees in Niger

I had breakfast this morning with Bishop Joseph from South Sudan where people are struggling mightily to build a new country almost from scratch.  There is land, he says, for people to raise crops and graze cattle but they are afraid they will be raided by soldiers from the north.  The forests have all been cut down for firewood and the soil is suffering.  "What about Neem?" I asked. He had never heard of the tree or its benefits.  However, by the end of the conversation, he was excited to consider growing neem forests to hold the soil, give people enterprise and also to produce things that could be sold at market.

"Trees are good indicators of personal production and the progress of a region," I said.  "People can see trees grow

Neem Seedlings in Uganda

from one month or one year to the next and realize they too are growing.  Some people are reminded that they are growing old and had better hurry up if they are to provide for their families."  He agreed.

I'd like to add South Sudan to the Neemiverse even as we consider growing trees beyond our malaria study to include with the Green Belt Project and other anti-dessertification efforts.  There is huge need for this tree and the methodology behind its cultivation.  The people being trained up in Kibaale District will be great ambassadors, consultants and partners to take The Neem Initiative throughout Africa.

Wouldn't you like to be part of a project with so much upside potential?  You can, you know.  Donate today or send me an email to find out how you can be involved:  neemjournalist@gmail.com.

Neem Becomes Big Business in India

Following the Neem Foundation, we discover that Neem has become big business in India.  Go to their website and you'll find this interesting list of uses for Neem - which is extensive.  Neem is so powerful and popular in India, Monsanto Corporation, which runs several production facilities there tried to trademark the name Neem which would have put most of the home remedy businesses out of business.  Thankfully, that did not happen.

Large Neem trees ready for transplanting

For those of us working with Neem in Africa, it is instructive to follow the India Model:  stimulate local growth, maximize the collection of bark, leaves and seeds, and then market worldwide. Gather and publicize the stories of Neem at work.   Even with all the activity in India, the market for Neem has barely been touched.  Even if all of India and all of Africa were actively producing raw materials, demand would still remain very high.  Why?  Because the actual applications of Neem so far have just scratched the surface.  There is potential for every pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturer in the world to have a line of Neem-based or Neem-ingredient products.   A surprising side-benefit is that by planting trees, people also reap the benefits of greening the planet

In Uganda, The Neem Initiative is starting small, developing quality people and processes in order to scale up quickly in approximately two years.  We are hoping our methodology will be a model that can be replicated throughout Africa.  We invite you to step into the Neemiverse and watch with wonder or, better yet, become a Neemist and help promote our work.  Email me at neemjournalist@gmail.com with questions.

I Am a Witness - Natural Cures Work

Some people are skeptical that things directly from nature - oils, leaves, seeds - really do any good - or that they can be used on a large scale.  Yet that is what we are proposing for The Neem Initiative.

But I have to tell you, I had an experience in Uganda earlier this year that taught me a great lesson about natural remedies.  I had been in country for nearly two weeks when I developed a deep bronchial cough.  It was agonizing and painful - and loud - and disruptive.  I had taken every cold,

Dr. Obadiah and his magic cough elixir

cough and decongestant pill in my extensive self-medication inventory, but nothing worked.  Then, one day, while walking through a bit of jungle looking for chimpanzees, I notice my son Obadiah gathering things from trees and digging in the ground. 

About ten minutes after we returned to our guest house, he presented me with a Fanta bottle with some orange liquid in it.  "What is this?" I asked?  "It will cure your cough," he said. "Drink half now and half in the morning.  Drink it all."  I tasted it and made a face at the bitterness.  "I will add more honey," Ob said.  "How did you know how to make this?" I asked.  Ob, who has been to veterinary school said, "I am a large animal expert.  And you are a large animal."  Of course.  I drank half the goo.  It didn't taste too bad.  The best part was, about two hours later, the cough was gone and I was able to sleep through the night.  I drank the rest in the morning and the cough never returned.

 "Ob, what was in that magic elixir?" I asked.  He replied: "Orange leaf, lemon leaf, ginger root, honey and some other stuff."  I didn't ask about the prep area.

I was impressed with the home remedy.  But the thing that sealed it was later, in Kayanja Village, the men were showing me their agriculture experiments when we came upon a small tree.  "The bark from that tree cures prostate cancer," one fellow said.  "WHOA! I said.  Are you sure?"  Yes, he said, "They grow it abundantly near here.  The French grind the bark and make a product called Tadenan.  You can buy it on-line.
So... if Neem prevents and cures malaria and Tadenan prevents prostate cancer and Ob can keep me from coughing, I'm set for life.  What about you?

The People are Dying for a Solution to Malaria

In January of 2013 Dr. Obadiah, Rev. Apuuli and I went throughout the Kibaale Distict to ask about malaria. In a half dozen villages, to audiences ranging in size from 20 to 200, we asked three questions.  Here are their replies:
1. If you have ever had malaria, raise your hand:  All hands went up.
2. If you know of someone who has died of malaria, raise your hand:  All hands went up.
3. If there were a way to stop the scourge of malaria,  would you support?  All hands went up.

After each session, farmers lined up to find out how they could become growers, transplanters and distributors.  Natually, they were looking for a new way to make a buck, but more importantly, they were looking for a way to protect themselves, their families and people in the villages.  Since that time, more than 12,000 seedlings have been grown and are being transplanted.  Interestingly, in our maturing forest, we are experiencing a bit of poaching - people taking leaves from our trees.  Clearly, they are motivated to use this plant for personal purposes.

Rev. Apuuli Brown Patrick and Dr. Obadiah on TNI Motorcycle

In the one year The Neem Initiative has been active, just word of mouth has attracted the attention

Land Lease for 5 Acres of Forest

and support of the King of the Bunyoro/Kitara, all of his chiefs and also the Uganda Ministry of Health.  Obadiah and Rev. Apuuli are putting serious mileage on the new TNI motorcycle, making sure the seedlings are growing and encouraging people throughout the district.

To keep the momentum going, we will require funding.  I request that you visit our fundraiser on Crowdrise.com to donate any amount.  We must keep going.  Lives are at stake.  And economic prosperity is in sight.  Come on, Neemists.  Help pull this wagon. The people are depending on you.

Day of Peace Includes Hopes for Neem

On September 21, Uganda participated in celebrating the UN-directed International Day of Peace.  Celebrations were held throughout the country, each locally oriented, to give hope to everyone that the future is secure and that God loves us all.

Rev. Apuuli Brown Patrick leads Officials in Kagadi

While unveiling the day’s program in Kampala on Thursday, Disaster Preparedness Minister Eng Hilary Onek said that the theme was perfectly in line with government’s objectives and the Directive Principle of State Policy in the National Constitution, which provides for equal opportunities for every Ugandan, to attain high standards of education, national peace and stability.

“All along this government’s historical mission has been to build a peaceful united, democratic, industrial transformed and prosperous Uganda, within a strong integrated East Africa,” he said.

“Indeed today, Uganda has managed to secure all its boundaries and its people are enjoying a very peaceful environment and programs tailored towards transforming people’s lives.”

- See more at: http://chimpreports.com/index.php/people/health/12950-uganda-to-commemorate-world-peace-day.html#sthash.yIgHcz52.dpuf

While unveiling the day’s program in Kampala on Thursday, Disaster Preparedness Minister Eng Hilary Onek said that the theme was perfectly in line with government’s objectives and the Directive Principle of State Policy in the National Constitution, which provides for equal opportunities for every Ugandan, to attain high standards of education, national peace and stability.

“All along this government’s historical mission has been to build a peaceful united, democratic, industrial transformed and prosperous Uganda, within a strong integrated East Africa,” he said.

“Indeed today, Uganda has managed to secure all its boundaries and its people are enjoying a very peaceful environment and programs tailored towards transforming people’s lives.”

- See more at: http://chimpreports.com/index.php/people/health/12950-uganda-to-commemorate-world-peace-day.html#sthash.yIgHcz52.dpuf

Uganda's Disaster Preparedness Minister Hilary Onek said, "All along this government's historical mission has been to build a peaceful, united, democratic, industrial transformed and prosperous Uganda, within a strong, integrated East Africa."

He also pointed out a number of steps the government has taken to promote peace, which include the disarmament process in the Karamoja area and the peace recovery/development plan under the Prime Minister's office.

Minister Kiiza Plants a Neem Tree

"We also have the National Focal Point for Small Arms and Light Weapons under the Internal Affairs Ministry that is in charge of controlling the proliferation of small arms which are responsible for fueling conflict and loss of life."

Our Neem Forest Grows

In Kibaale District, much of the day was devoted to the Neem Initiative.  Rev. Apuuli Brown Patrick led local officials including Matie Karija, the State Minister for Finance and Planning, Arnest Kiiza, the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs, the Deputy District Regional Commissioner and others through various project sites.  Minister Kiiza planted a Neem tree at the Model Primary School in the town of Kagadi.

The message we and the leadership of Uganda are sending is Neem = Peace.  Nice.

The Villain: Mr. Anopheles

Anopheles, which sounds a lot like the evil Mephistopheles, is the genus of mosquito that brings malaria.  The creature does not carry the disease itself but is transportation for a parasite called plasmodium malariae that accompanies the carrier wherever it goes.  Like a Sky Marshal without the personality.  Interestingly enough, there can be plenty of anopheles around, biting people without consequences... if plasmodium is not aboard.

Anopheles likes to work at night.  Beginning at dusk, the mosquitos start to appear and feed on whatever warm mammal they can find all night long.  Like little vampires, they huddle out of the sunlight at which time they are vulnerable to insecticide spraying and habitat destruction.

Neem is used to combat anopheles on multiple levels.
1. When leaves are steeped in water overnight, the resultant solution is an effective, organic, natural insectide for spraying mosquito habitat.  It kills mosquitos while they are resting.
2. Ground dried Neem leaf sprinkled on standing water kills anopheles larvae
3. The trees, as we have learned anecdotally are said to repel mosquitos in a radius of 100 meters in all directions.  SEE VIDEO HERE.
4. Rubbing Neem oil on the skin will repel mosquitos.
5. If one comes down with malaria, a decoction of Neem leaf as a tea virtually eliminates symptoms overnight.  For children, the strength of the tea must be intentional - very weak for children under a year old and progressively stronger at older age levels.

Anopheles and Plasmodium are the enemies.  We know how to kill them.  Let us come out from behind our nets or our "Oh, well." atttitude and aggressively kill these critters where they live.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON ANOPHELES.  Thanks to the CDC for info and to Nat Geo for the photo.