WEMA BLOG

It's hard to believe September is almost gone and the house has been quiet for a full three weeks.  For the first time all year, we don't have anyone staying with us!  There are no visiting donors, no board members, advisors, volunteers, travelers, friends or family members sharing our table and dreaming with us about sustainable development here in Africa.   A highlight during this season of visitors was the great pleasure we had of journeying with a group of young friends who traveled out with … Read More

Here she is, the very first locally made Basic Utility Vehicle!  This new and improved model is beefed up and modified to meet the challenges that African roads and loads dish up.  The engineers at IAT (Institute for Affordable Transportation in the US) received our feedback, considered the issues and made the needed changes.  The results, as you can see, are fantastic.  This is one tough transport vehicle! Again, we are so thankful to Bob Wittenbach, Chris Hart and the other IAT guys for the generosity … Read More

Last month, the BUV guys were invited to show off one of the Basic Utility Vehicles at a regional agricultural fair.  Imagine the delight and pride felt by the guys in the workshop when we heard that our local BUV had been awarded the Best Product award! We wish you could have heard the cheers as Scott and Byron announced the news :)  The win came with an invitation to participate in the national agricultural fair in capital where the President will peruse all the entries.   On short notice, we don’t have … Read More

Production has begun at the BUV workshop!  As you know, we are closely involved in bringing Basic Utility Vehicles to East Africa, aiming to provide opportunities (where there have been very few) for entrepreneurs to own and operate their own transport businesses with these heavy-duty yet affordable beauties.  But it's not just about getting the vehicles out there.  No, no...  It's much more than that!  In the process, the men in the shop are being trained into skilled laborers as they get hands-on experi… Read More

We had a great visit last month from the guys at the Institute for Affordable Transportation in the States.  These brainiacs are the ones who are responsible for the whole BUV (Basic Utility Vehicle) idea, design and dream.  They have big hearts and great minds and their visit to observe, learn and advise was incredibly helpful.  While we faced some challenges as things we had hoped to do while they were here couldn't be done because of inevitable shipping delays and other frustrations that are so common in… Read More

Paulo's life in a fairly traditional Maasai village would have played out quite differently amid the "typical" conditions of poverty and hampered potential if it hadn't been for some key factors.  The first life-changer was that a small church was started near his home and, as a young man, Paulo came into a relationship with Christ.  Secondly, a devastating drought took most of his family's herds, leaving them without resources to continue eking out their living as herdsmen.  Thirdly, the BUV guys approac… Read More

Last month another small group of BUV driver/operators were trained and certified!  This month they're running their own transportation companies through rent-to-own use of BUVs in rural areas.  Allow us to tell you more about that :)   BUV stands for Basic Utility Vehicle and, true to its name, it's a rugged utilitarian vehicle that can handle the rough roads, or lack thereof, here in East Africa.  Designed by engineers at the Institute for Affordable Transportation in Indiana, the vehicle was specificall… Read More

This time last year we were wondering what to call ourselves.  After almost 30 years in cross cultural service (primarily in East Africa) it was time to launch an organization tailored to our specific passion-- spiritual and economic transformation together.  In the work place...  In the thick of daily life...   All our years and experiences had prepared us and sharpened our focus.  Suddenly, it was GO time. We like the Swahili word, wema.   (Sounds like Emma!)  We like the simple definition "goodness."  … Read More