OUR HISTORY
It was 2014 when Ampeire Alexander realized that farming was carried out by mainly the older generations. Putting in mind that it will cease to be a profitable progressive area if the future generations are not enabled, motivated, strengthened, encouraged, empowered and supported to engage in farming he wanted to do something. After recognizing that the youth and children are untapped productive resources for social-development of any developing country he commenced training to attract the future generation to see farming as the best career option, a profession of hope and salvation to unemployment crisis.
To Alexander, farming is a labour of Love, and takes joy designing his farming work by examples on the ground, he grew up farming and it is part and parcel of his life, it is a profession of hope and can be a good business choice if done correctly.
To ensure a “Food Secure Future” the youth and children were trained through mind set change, capacity building, promoting creative and innovative farming techniques and encouraged to have their families and communities at heart, and work for their social and economic development. This was to assist the future generation to take responsibilities to make the right choices with their future and to farm in love with nature as they promote “Integrated Ecological Farming Food Production Systems” while being mindful of the environment they will inherit.
Ampeire Alexander holds a Bachelors degree in Social work and Community Development with a life long working experience with farming communities. He takes great passion in his work and loves to see improved living standards of people and a healthy environment.
In 2016, he assisted local youth to start a village saving scheme and set up s banana wine production with the help of Twinamasiko Denis a value addition specialist. Other income generating activities such as banana plantation establishment, piggery, local poultry rearing were also started.. The struggle continued to enable and train young role model ecological farmers for the future agriculturalists to see farming as a business.
In 2018, Alexander designed a talking ecological farming demonstration known as Bwindi Gorilla Food Forest Gardening Projects. Later in 2018 a very active young lady called Ayebare Caroline and her mother Turyomurugyendo Sylvia stated modifying their farm which is now an ecological farming demonstration known as “Together we can permaculture” projects.
After sometime a couple (Tumuramye Denis and Christine) requested Alexander and Caroline to design their compound with various types of climate smart resilient home compound gardens
There was high community demand driven by farming communities after visiting these ecological farming demonstrations. This culminated in the formation of more youth and children farming groups and women’s groups. Gender equality was key to help the womens groups develop. The best Integrated Ecological school demonstration is in BT Karama Primary School known as BT Karama Permaculture Projects
In 2020, a special meeting for all chairpersons and secretaries of all farming groups held on 05/09/2020 resolved to register farming community groups at the district level into a legal Community Based Organization. Alexander the founder was chosen to be the Chief Executive Director of CEFRIEF and this was confirmed by the General Assembly Meeting held on 03/10/2020.