Vegetable Gardens for 20 Elders with No Resources

We thank you so much again for your generous support of this microproject to produce gardens for elders in the area of Chajul, Guatemala. At this point there are 20 elders identified and more on a waiting list to receive this gardening support. All are excited for this project to develop.

There have been several interesting developments since we initiated the project, which is still in early stages of execution.

First, Our partner organization ASO-Ixil, identified four farmers who will host gardens. This will provide a land base for those who do not have it.

Second, ASO-Ixil agronomist Henry Caba researched fertilizers that would help improve the soil in gardens in Chajul. Having identified a Guatemalan vendor of an appropriate organic fertilizer, Mr. Caba succeeded in bringing her to the community for a workshop. The workshop participants were the ASO-Ixil Board, local farmer leaders, widows and elders. They also invited some local university agriculture students who will be providing labor.

Third, ASO-Ixil is now comparing vegetable seed prices from sources around their region of Guatemala, and possibly offering seed in the local hardware store. This is an innovative strategy that uses local commerce as a partner in providing aid, rather than setting up a more "handout" type system of just giving people seeds. Elders supported by the program would receive vouchers to subsidize the cost at the hardware store. After receipt of the voucher, your donations will reimburse the store owner for the seed cost.

And most recently, our partner Aso Ixil put together a gardening workshop using power point with a projector purchased with Global Giving funds from a previous project! The workshop was attended by widows and elders who are mostly illiterate, and therefore greatly benefited from the visual presentation.

The next planting season starts in September with a harvest in November. We will be sure to post another report once harvests begin, so you can see the fruits of your gift emerging from the soil.  

Again: Thank you so much for your support! You are making a difference in a special community where needs are real and the motivation to improve lives is activated and powerful.