By Kim Karris | Program Manager, HelpAge USA
Funding YOU donated last winter to our project is now helping older farmers in Bolivia achieve reliable access to adequate supplies of food and water.
On March 16th 2012, HelpAge staff officially handed over the first 20 micro irrigation systems to 20 older people headed families in the locality of El Carmen, Chuquisaca, Bolivia. The project aims at building 90 water-efficient micro irrigation systems to cover over 200 beneficiaries. The systems consist of equipment for water collection and storage. Training on water-efficiency management as well as tools and seeds for nutritious Bolivian crops are also being provided.
Kizito Chiwala -- HelpAge Bolivia
“The vegetable gardens we’ve set up take advantage of natural water sources. There are springs in the land higher up. From there, the water is brought by a system of pipes to a storage tank, and then to the vegetable gardens to provide irrigation. Based on that, the vegetables are being grown organically, with the aim of guaranteeing food security for the family. All this has been done with the participation of the whole family, but the older people have played the leading role, because they promoted it, they are active in their community and all we need to do is give them a bit more support.”
Sabino Arancibia -- Older farmer
“My life has changed with this vegetable production, now we’re eating and selling our produce. I feel better, my health has improved thanks to the vegetables. Vegetables are a healthy food. We no longer have to go and buy vegetables in the city, because we have our own vegetable gardens here. With what we earn from selling them we buy pasta and rice, because we don’t produce rice and pasta here.”
Thank you so much for helping us relieve the chronic food and water insecurity faced by older farmers living in this rural agricultural community in Bolivia. Your support is having a direct impact on their lives. Much more can be done with your help; please consider continuing your commitment to these older farmers today.
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