Thank you to the women of Portland Yacht Club, Oregon!
In December of 2022, the iron gates planned to secure the compound were in storage. Soaring Inflation had prevented last few feet of wall enclosing the compound from being built, and additional structural work needed to be completed before the gates could be hung. Men had been paid to guard the entry, but it was getting harder to fend off thieves in the area. It was a difficult situation.
Heidi Gunsul, First Lady of the Portland Yacht Club, learned about AWE and decided that the proceeds of the PYC Ladies Dinner would be donated to AWE to complete the gates and thereby allow the project to go forward. The generous women of Portland Yacht Club saved the day by breaking the record for funds raised at such an event, thereby providing the resources needed to build the arch that was required to hang the heavy iron gates.
This arch provides strength to hold up the gates and height for the trucks loaded with produce to pass through. On the left you can see the beginnings of a two-story farm store that will sell essential farming supplies and equipment to the farmers.
Because the compound is now secure, the construction of the grain storehouse (sponsored by Rotary Club of Beaverton and local partner, Kitgum Rotary Club) has now begun, utilizing the grant from Rotary International.