Step 3: Have Landowners Write a Formal Letter of Intent

Action: Following the meeting, we give the landowners some time to discuss the idea among themselves and then draft a formal letter to us that spells out their desire to move forward with setting up the enterprise. This letter needs to be signed by all the clan leaders and the headman of the village. It also needs to be witnessed by the government representative in the village - either the councilor or magistrate.

Rationale: This letter provides written confirmation of the landowner's interest in the project. It provides us with documentation of their agreement to participate under the terms that we described.

Example: If it is a small village (around 80 people), we expect to receive letters a day or two after our meeting. If it is a big village (800 people), however, then we are suspicious if a letter comes too soon because this means that not all clans have been consulted - letters from these villages can take up to four weeks to arrive. In either case, because we have spent time in the village we know who the key players are in each clan and can be sure that the right people have signed the letter.

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