The projects that Street Kids Direct supports will now benefit from a new capital venture in Guatemala. A London investment group have purchased a farm that will generate funds for both the investors as well as provide funding to help street kids and the various projects we support.

UPDATE - MAY 2008

The farm has begun its first harvest of potatoes.  Given that the farm has been operational for less than a year it is amazing to know it is now the largest single potato crop in Guatemala.  Harvest will take up to four weeks and will generate funds for projects we support.  

Because Guatemalan law states that profits from a new company cannot be given away until year 2, the projects will have to wait until next year to benefit from the farm.  However by then we would have enjoyed at least one more harvest!

Here are some photos of the potato growing process:






















HISTORY
The company is called EXAGRIS, a Latin word meaning 'from the fields' and has purchased a farm three hours drive south of Guatemala City for the production of potatoes and baby corn. More land is currently being sought for the expansion of the project.

The farm was commissioned in October 2007 by the Rev. John Banner, retired minister of Christchurch, Tunbridge Wells together with Herbert Paiz, Exagris company director and Duncan Dyason from Street Kids Direct.

Part of the vision of Street Kids Direct is to ensure a sustainable future for the projects we support. The generation of new businesses in Guatemala and Honduras will not only offer employment to local people but also provide a source on long-term funding for the projects.



The farm in Guatemala comes with a grand 5-bedroom house as well as other outhouses and two small cottages.









Front view of the main farm house.













A river runs through the far end of the farm that could always provide us with clean, fresh water.