Ministry of Lands Meeting Report

April 1, 2010

Dear Grassroots Heroes,

I received this report from Ron and Vincent who are the GHI representatives working in Grippis. They offer a report on the meeting at the Ministry of Lands, which sounds very hopeful. Some of the paperwork that would normally take a long time seems to have been already filed which may simplify the process of the community owning land for the well, the school and even for the market which is designated for the community on the official plot. If I read this report correctly, it says that the community actually has the first right to buy the plots where the school and well are now located, which is very good news. Reading their report is also interesting from a cultural stand point just to see how other governments are organized. They ask for continued prayer as they work toward securing these plots of land. Thank you for your love and care for them, and your fervent prayers.

Tanya

Dear Tanya,
We went to the ministry of lands on the 29th March to get help and advice on the best way forward concerning the land for the school plot, projects and whatever the community will need to do. After considering all the options available which are the community registering as a society, register a co-operative or registering a company by guarantee (not for profit company) we felt a co-operative is the best way forward because it has less hassles, less paper work and gives the community more control over their activities collectively.

We then went to the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives registrar where we discovered to our amazement there's is a registered co-operative in GRIPPIS already (this was registered by the baptist pastor & his leadership). However the way it works is that every family in GRIPPIS has to be a member & if anyone sells their land; the buyer becomes an automatic member of that co-operative. This grouping has the right to own land and properties on behalf of the community, they can sue and be sued. They can also open a bank account and suchlike. Therefore this co-operative can apply for the land earmarked for the market, school, and the two plots where the well is now and own it. They have the first right to offer to buy these plots (the two accommodating the well).

As mentioned earlier there is a registered co-operative in the compound already so we were asked to get hold of the certificate and the constitution that was used to register this body. After this we should ascertain how relevant this document is to our vision and needs in the community, if need be amendments shall be made, elect new office bearers/ trustees and adopt a new constitution and leaders. We would then invite the registrar of agriculture and co-operatives to the compound to educate the whole community on what this all means, expectations and how to make the leaders accountable. They will adopt these resolutions and give us new documents to use to apply for the said plots and land.

This whole process should be completed in five to six weeks all things being equal. We need your prayers for God's favour, guidance and breakthroughs as we continue in this work. We were also advised to continue using the favour of the second lady in securing a waiver of the offer fees so we intend to continue probing that avenue.

In His Vineyard,

Ronald and Vince