Looking at Old Projects – November 14 Evening

Manuel and I went to see some of the things we planted a year ago. Despite not having been cared for, many of the things were growing surprisingly well. Four of the five beehives were busy beeing. The fifth one had been invaded by ants and, as no one was checking, the ants took over and the bees left. An empty, abandoned beehive is such a lonely thing.

The papaya and banana circles were looking impressive despite having had no mulch added for the whole year. That point of care got missed in translation. It demonstrates very clearly how a family could live reasonably well with twenty or so circles. This would take about 1600 sq. ft. of space. Children could find the grass or other organic material to keep the insides of the circles full without too much difficulty.

Calliandra trees were flowering for the first time and the Noni fruit trees were showing lots of fruit. Each tree, about 1.5 m high, had two or three dollars of fruit showing. A boundary planting of these trees around a homestead would bring a good income. We met a neighbour there who had noted that the coffee harvest was better since the beehives were introduced. Makes sense. Hopefully that was one of the contributing factors.

All in all, the trip was encouraging. It confirmed that many of the ideas we are pursuing are, actually, filled with potential. Now to find a place where we can set them up and maintain them for long enough to demonstrate clearly that that is the case.

Sat outside for two hours this afternoon waiting for a bed to be delivered. It never came. Sigh. I even went to the work of folding my sheets and picking up the foam mattress and cardboard off the floor. Will send Julia, the lady who comes three times a week to do laundry, to check them out. If nothing else, she will talk them into action.

Today I talked with two girls who are waiting for our program to begin. They have finished Grades 1-7 on their own and have, in turn, taught other adults in their communities (including one of their mothers) the Grades 1-6 program. Because they have to work to support family, they cannot attend school full time. Carolina, one of the girls, wants to become a nurse and cannot attend nursing school without her Junior and Senior High. She is nineteen years old and serving her community already as a basic first aid health provider and educator. Very remarkable.

Julia’s youngest son is going to have a celebration in two weeks (paid for by money from his brothers in the U.S.) because he has finished Grade 6. The fact that Grade 6 is a milestone worthy of a party shows again the importance of our project.

Bryan