Mwakavuta’s N.M. Group is the largest of any groups of PIUMA members, boasting 24 constituents.  Starting in 2005 with a mere five people, the N.M. Group is also the oldest of PIUMA’s groups.

 

Like the others, this group’s purpose is to unite PIUMA members in the village of Mwakavuta in their struggle against HIV, and to provide projects that keep its members busy and healthy, and allow them a steady income to cover hospital treatments, should they be needed.

 

The N.M. Group’s first project was to build a nursery for small Tilapia fish on the banks of a nearby stream.  In the three years since its humble beginning, this project has proved a huge success.  Three more ponds have been added, all of which are almost double the size of the first, and their fish have been healthy and a solid source of income.

 

They don’t know how many fish they have now, but they estimate the number to be in the hundreds.  Each fish sells for 500 Tsh, which they do twice per year, and a third time they extract the fish for their own food.

 

Unfortunately, they are not the only ones benefiting from the viability of their Tilapia.  An otter has recently discovered their nurseries to be an excellent restaurant, and makes nightly trips to the ponds for some fast food.  Traps have been set up, but as of yet the otter has been too sly.  Luckily, it has only found one of the ponds, the first and smallest one, and also the one with the most algae, giving the fish ample hiding space.

 

With the success of their first project, the group was able to begin a vegetable garden that they also use both for selling and eating, as well as buying a chicken for each member to provide their families with eggs.

 

But the Tilapia nursery remains their most exciting project.  The members enjoy walking along the ponds and watching their fish grow.  They will also gladly hop in and pull one out for a lucky guest.

 

 

Story by HH volunteer

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