Interview Day

The interview process for applying for a position with One Acre Fund has been quite a complex, interesting journey. Randy had completed 5 telephone interviews and 2 case studies prior to being invited to Bungoma for the last stage of the process. On Wednesday morning he was scheduled for another 3 hour interview where he would also be required to make a presentation. The entire process ensures the candidate is completely aware of what they are getting into and the company has the opportunity to ensure the candidate is the right fit for the role and the organization. While it seems a bit extensive having someone move 1/2 way or more around the world can be an expensive mistake if it isn't the right move for all concerned.

So while Randy was working through his interview, I decided to visit a Field Officer's meeting where the farmers would be receiving their first top delivery. The delivery includes solar lights, fertilizer , bags and seeds. While the group waited for the delivery truck to arrive, the field officer had members of the team who had already repaid a substantial amount of their loans share best practices with the entire group. 

One gentleman had paid his loan of ten thousand shillings in full. We learned that in order to repay as quickly as possible the family readjusted their budget and scrimped and saved where possible making the repayment a priority. One thing the family did was change their breakfast from including milk to having porridge with water.  As of today the family was back on their normal budget and the entire revenue from the crop will belong to them. 

It Turned out the truck got stuck somewhere along the way and was going to be quite late. However there was lots of training scheduled, including the proper method for applying the fertilizer. First a lecture was provided then we all walked down the road to one of the maize farmers for a demonstration and practice.  

Today I learned that the first application of fertilizer should happen when the maize is knee high and the second application at shoulder height. Now I am not sure if this is based on someone 5 foot 5 or 6 foot 6, and there was both in the audience.  The instructor was closer to 5'5, so let's go with that. The farmers have a stick approximately 4 feet long with two nails sticking out about  4 inches from the bottom. The stick is pushed into the ground beside the plant upto the nails and turned to make a small hole. Then a teaspoon of fertilizer is placed in the hole and covered up with dirt. They recommended it works best if three people work together in tandem. While it seemed straight forward there was a lot of questions. If the maize is planted on a hill the hole goes uphill from the plant. Don't get the fertilizer on the plant. Make sure to cover the fertilizer or the rains will wash it away. Don't hit the plant with the nails. 

Eventually the truck arrived and the farmers unloaded the supplies under the watchful eyes of several field officers, a field manager and an assistant district manager. Every bag is verified and accounted for as it is distributed to the farmers.

During the process I was invited by Esther to sit and visit as she watched over the unloading of the truck. Esther is a neighbouring field officer who was here to help oversee the process. Her groups delivery would happen next Wednesday.  Would I be able to come to her site too? 

Esther told me she has been working for One Acre for two years and loves her job.  She has four children, one boy and three girls between the ages of one and seven. Her husband, a minister stays home and looks after the children while she works. He is a good man. 

We didn't get to stay and see the entire process as it was well past 12:30 and we needed to head back to the compound.  I was anxious to hear how Randy made out in his interview and apparently the  interview process is still not over.