Final report: Grant Funding of the Mulokot foundation

Project: Towards Food sovereignty for the Wayana in Suriname – Through sustainable fish farming

Starting from the 1^st of September 2020 till the 31^st Augustus 2021 we successfully build our fishponds (2) and train our youngsters. In total 900 fingerlings. The following activities:

• Digging the 2^nd fish pound

• Training about Mercury pollution and use in the gold mining

• Installation of the water and oxygen pomp for the ponds

• Second batch of Fingerlings

• Eating and selling the first Fish

• Talking/training creating local Fish food by the Minster of LVV

• Project Follow up with the Japanese Embassy

1. Digging the Second fishpond

Starting in January we created the second fish pound in Kawemhakan. Together with several youngsters and some elders we again started digging a hole from 7m by 11m and 1.5m deep all by hand. On 24^th of February the Fingerlings were put in the First Fish pounds, by our Paramount Chief, Ipomadi Pelenapin.

2. Training about Mercury pollution and use in the gold mining

In February we had a community training of 2 days about mercury pollution, health risks and (illegal) goldmining and the use of mercury. More than 40 people participated in the training/workshop. They had a lot of questions. For the first time the community was informed in their own language without any translators or people from the capital.

3. Installation of a water and oxygen pomp for the 2 ponds

On the 15^th of April we cleaned the 1^st Fish pound and put all the fish in the second fish pound. We also installed the new water and oxygen pump to guaranty the quality of the water. We renewed the plastic on the bottom of the first pound, the first type of plastic was not strong enough, but at that time we could not find better plastic for the bottom of the first pound.

4. Second batch of Fingerlings

On March the 20^th we send the second batch of 500 fingerlings by plane to Kawemhakan. They were put in the special fingerling pound. In September this Batch was put in the 2^nd pound. At the moment they are about 400 grams.

5. Eating and selling the first Fish (1,5 kilo)

In June the average weight of the fish was 950 grams. Now, in September the fish has an average weight of 1,5 kilo. The community has started to eat them, and the youngsters are selling them for € 10,- per kilo. With this money we can buy new fingerlings and fish food and give the youngster money for their work.

6. Talking/training creating local Fish food by the Minster of LVV (Agriculture, fishery and Farming)

We are talking to the government; they are finally showing interest in our project. They approached use if we need help with producing our local fish food. We now are developing a training with them to produce local food with local plants/products. We expect at the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022 we can produce our own sustainable local fish food.

7. Project Follow up with the Japanese Embassy

At the moment we are waiting (November 2021) for the final approvement for our Fish farming project that we have written for the Japanese Embassy. We have written a project proposal including:

• · 10 extra fish pounds

• · 12 Fish pounds with a cement underground/bottom

• · Machines for producing local fish food

• · Extra pumps, filters, solar panels etc.

Media

We had a lot of media attention this period, local but also international.

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• From 15- 20^th of April of we had an International journalist in our village, she made an article for a Dutch newspaper (NRC) about the fish farm project and the mercury problems

• On the 21st of April there was a news item on the Dutch national TV (8 o’clock news) about our project

• In May there was a local journalist that came to our villages and made several news items for the local newspapers but also for a Belgium Magazine about our project

• We had several news items in different local newspapers and internet sites.

• In September we went to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille. We were invited by WWF France and Nia Tero to talk about the problems in our territory and about solutions that the Wayana Indigenous came up with. Fish farming was one of the items that we talk about and discussed.

October, 2021

Andre Verhoogt

Magaging Director Mulokot Foundation

Exchange between NWN and Mulokot Regarding Final Report 10/2021

NWN: In order to complete our commitment to The Mulokot Foundation, we request the following items:

• Please provide an update on new expense allocations with receipts as you previously provided on the last report

We will send in a separate mail.

• Regarding the fish production that you reported, could you quantify the total poundage (weight) that was harvested in the first year and if this met your original expectations.

  • We have harvest (eaten or sold), till 1 November 2021, 456 fish with an average weight of 1.1 kg. 40% of them were sold.

  • We have almost 450 fish left with an average weight of 650 grams. We expect them to be ready in February 2022.

  • Less then 5% died, during transportation or during to process of getting the expected weight. That is less then we calculated.

  • We expected 1000 fish of 1 kilo in the first year. The dry season (the lack of enough water with the right quality) was longer than normal, so that had a negative effect on their growth.

• Did you encounter any additional challenges in the last phase of this project (ie since our last discussion) and how did you resolve?

  • The last challenge was that the people wanted to have bigger (in kg) fish. The quality of the fish is excellent, the % of fat is great, but 1.1 kg they found was too small. But the problems we have if we let them grow bigger are, that there are no statistic available for farming this Fish more than 1 kilo. So, we cannot calculate how much food they need in relation to their growth. The second problem of course are the resources for this project. We cannot keep buying food and not eating or selling them.

  • The final challenge was also that in the dry season the quality of the water in the creek was very poor. So the growth of the vis during these 3 months was less.

• Please provide brief commentary on lessons learned from this project. What might you do differently in the next phase knowing what you know now? (this will help inform other programs who may wish to follow your lead)

  • Digging by hand is very hard and expensive. Be sure that there is a digger available.

  • The quality of the plastic is very imported, because of the sun [almost 12 hours a day in Suriname] it quickly becomes porous. Better is to have a concrete bottom for the pounds

  • As always you need people that are motivated, in this particular project, it takes almost 1 year to see the results. The motivation of the workers comes and goes, so a strong leader is needed to keep then motivated.

Interim Narrative Progress Report: Grant Funding of the Mulokot foundation

Project: Towards Food sovereignty for the Wayana in Suriname – Through sustainable fish farming

Starting from the 1^st of September till the 15^nd of December we had the following activities:

• · Searching for the Fingerling (7^th of September till 21^st)

• · Developing the training Fingerlings

• · Building the Fingerling pond, installing the solar equipment and pumps

• · Training 3 youngsters for nursing the fingerlings

• · Diging the 1^st fish pound

1. Searching for the fingerlings

On the 7^th of September we backed two boats and went down stream for 110 kilometers. On our way we searched for the fingerlings on many different places. We found them, but not so much and they were not easy to catch. We tried different technics and eventually we caught 20 of them. But it was clear that we needed to improve our catching skills of method.

But we now know where they are and what we have to improve to catch them.

2. Developing the training Fingerlings

Meanwhile we developed the training “Nursing the fingerlings” together with mister Jose Diaz Avila, whom happened to farm the same fish we want to farm in the Capital of Suriname. Content of the training:

• · Maintenance of the fingerling pond

• · Maintenance of the solar equipment

• · Feeding the fingerlings (see schedule at the right)

• · Oxygen levels, PH-values and water management

The training was based on pictures and oral training because the Wayana are not used to reading. Most of them can read a little bit but teaching them with documentation is a wasted of time. Some pictures and learning by doing is the best way.

3. Building the Fingerling pond

In the capitol of Suriname, we bought all the equipment we needed and by plane it was brought to Kawemhakan. We bought:

• · The pond (including a stair)

• · 3 Oxygen pomps

• · 2 waterpomps

• · Battery

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2 solar panels

• · Battery charger/controle unit

• · Water hose

• · And some small equipment

All was assembled in Kawemhakan just outside the villages on a piece of land where we openend up and leveled out.

It took us 3 days to get the job done with the three youngsters [2 boys and 1 girl]. The next day the fingelings came by plane from the capitol. Why did we decided to get the fingerlings from the capitol the first time and not catch them down stream? Well the answer is quit simple, we found out the a half year ago mister Diaz Avila started with the same fish on a fish farm in the capitol. And starting with 400 fingerlings it was cheaper to get them by plane from the capitol, then to go by boat and catch them. The coming months we will make a combination of fingelrlings caught in the wild and from the capitol.

4. Training nursing the fingerlings

We selected 3 youngster (2 boys [21 en 23 years old] and 1 girl [19 years old]) for our training. Also our Paramount Chief was very interested and one of the fathers of the youngsters so they followed the training too. In 3 days we did a training on the job, 3 time feeding a day, maintance and equipment knowledge.

5. Diging the first fish pound

Starting at the 11^th of December we created the first fish pound in Kawemhakan. Together with several youngsters and some more experienced diggers we started to dig a hole from 7m by 11m and 1.5m deep. We also put a camp above it, so the sun and the heavy rain will not have much influence on the fish farm.

On the 20^th of December the first pound will be finished and the fish will be put in the pound.

In January the next batch of fingelings will be deliverd to us [about 1000 fingelings] and will be put in our swimmingpool. At the same time we will start digging the secons fish pound.

We gave interviews in several national news paper and they also put the interview on internet.

December 18, 2020

Andre Verhoogt

Program Director Mulokot Foundation

Project Power Up 1-year update

(NWN: Extension for project completion approved due to COVID complications for organization)

Completed steps:

● Computers procured and set up at FIBUSPAM

● Staff trained in basic computer use

● Consultant engaged to install and train staff on EMR system

Unforeseen implementation obstacle:

• Delay in finalization of training and implementation due to Covid-19.

• Due to Covid demand, the clinic expanded to become a fully accredited hospital. As a result, we are required to install an EMR system that interfaces with the government’s financial reporting and taxation system, precluding us from using the Open EMR system as originally planned. This system costs $30,000.

Solutions identified:

• PACH has raised $5,000 to help support this expense.

• We are approaching other donors to support the implementation.

• We are thus requesting an extension from NWN as we work towards finalizing this project.

• The extension may be no-cost as long as NWN allows us time to fundraise or can be costed if NWN wishes to contribute additional funds.

Project Power Up 8-month update

Since Project Power Up’s 2-month check-in, in December 2020, PACH and FIBUSPAM personnel have been able to begin creating install computers in all of the consulting rooms, and finalize the user manual to prepare to train staff.

Completed steps:

● Began working with Raul Procel, our IT consultant in Ecuador, to begin the customizing OpenEMR to meet the needs of all medical personnel and specialties at FIBUSPAM.

● Installed 18 desktop computers into the consulting rooms at FIBUSPAM.

● Completed a user manual in FIBUSPAM to prepare to train staff members to use the EMR system.

Upcoming steps:

● Work with staff who have limited knowledge of computers and technology to use the computers at FIBUSPAM.

● Train staff to utilize the system.

● Launch the system.

● Monitor progress and ensure that all personnel are equipped and able to maneuver the system.

● Upon the re-uptake of mobile medical clinics, ensure the ability to utilize the system while in remote locations.

Potential barriers to implementation

● Difficulties of certain staff members in learning how to use a computer and the EMR system.

Solutions identified:

● Hold trainings for staff members on computer usage.

● Identify FIBUSPAM staff members who are technologically savvy to assist those who may have trouble during the first few weeks/months of implementation. Those staff members, in addition to Raul, are full-time staff members who will be able to guide other staff members in moments when they have technological issues.