After Ebola, Gardens Help Rebuild Lives

We give our deep thanks for your generous support of the Liberia project. Although progress has persisted for six months in a very "slow but steady" fashion, the recent GlobalGiving 100% match has helped to finally allows us to jump in with both feet. It’s been one year since we first heard about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and you may not be seeing or hearing about it so much in the media these days. The outbreak left the already struggling population crippled with food shortages, price spikes, and faced with missed planting and harvesting seasons. With the recent shipment of 50,000 packets of seeds successfully delivered to Liberia, we are working with our in-country partner, Church Aid Liberia, in monitoring distribution and planting of the seeds.

E-mail update from Rev. Brown of Church Aid Liberia:

April 16th, 2015

"Dear Seed Programs International,

Greetings! I wanted to tell you that my colleague Miatta hasn't been well in the past few days since she returned from the ECHO West Africa Agriculture conference in Republic of Ghana. This has even slowed down our plans to experiment a Moringa field to explore the possibility of massive production since experts say the plant has many health benefits.

However, as soon as Miatta recovers and is back at office, she'll be able to write in detail about her activities. Currently, veg seed distribution is ongoing. Field volunteers are moving in the field with inputs to assist gardeners to plant seeds. Post-Ebola Liberia is even more challenged in terms of food shortages.

Concerning women program, it's a big part of Church Aid programming. Our layer of programs include:

 1. Community Women Training Center (CWTC)

2. Mobile Skills Training Clinic (MSTC)

3. Micro-enterprise development program (MED)

4. Girls Career Club (GCC)

5. Women in Agriculture program, etc.

Looking forward to sending you updates and progress reports of the seeds and the program.

Thanks, God bless

Rev. Brown"

Our partner, Church Aide Liberia, directed by Rev. Kortu Brown, relies on our partnership and works closely with others service providers to reach Liberians in need.

Although we’ve reached our initial goal of $2000.00, the need is far greater and we can do more. So, if there is anybody among your friends, colleagues, or family who intended to give and may have forgotten, or who you think might gain satisfaction from supporting this project, let them know today! Global Giving is offering 100% match up to $1000.00 per donor while funds last. Global Giving also offers nice e-cards, printable paper cards, and mailed cards for giving in honor of Mother’s Day, a birthday, or any other occasion. With monies raised we are able to go forward in getting more seeds and other gardening resources to Liberia.

Again, we thank you for your continued support!

Seed Programs Internationl 

Links:

• Spring Seed News

Thank you so much for your gifts. This is our second report:

The shipment of 50,000 packets of seeds made possible by your support left East Rochester, New York to hopefully be picked up and moving from JFK today. 

The seed selection includes cabbage, collard, cucumber, eggplant, okra, hot pepper and bell pepper. This represents a variety of foods that can be readily grown by households and fit well into the local diet, and are sellable at market to bring needed extra income. Our partners in Liberia have strong agricultural training and will select and distribute seeds accordingly.

Our partner, Church Aide Liberia; Directed by Rev. Kortu Brown relies on our partnership and works closely with others service providers to reach Liberians in need.

Rev. Brown reports “The field search of our psychosocial team in the VOA#1 community, about 5 minutes drive away from our church reported about 101 Ebola orphans are struggling in that community. Church Aid team of 10 trauma counselors have been going in there two weeks now to ascertain whether these children, ranging from 1 1/2 to 18 years old were really orphaned by Ebola including 71 reported survivors in this same area. Banjor community findings are awaited. We are also exploring a possible 4-fold program for such kids: [1] Place with foster parents/guardians where required and provide for basic needs i.e food, clothes, etc, [2] Support a center where they can benefit from trauma counseling and recreation, [3] Provide periodic medical care, and [4] Education sponsorship in any school of their choosing in the country, etc. "

With your help, we've reached $772.00, this achievement will surely support our work to fight hunger among thousands of seed recipients. We are within in reach of our goal of $2000.00. With monies raised we are able to go forward in getting more seeds to Liberia. So, if there is anybody among your friends, colleagues, or family who intended to give and may have forgotten, or who you think might gain satisfaction from supporting this project, let them know today! Global Giving also offers very nice e-cards, printable paper cards, and mailed cards for giving in honor of a birthday or any other occasion.

Have a great 2015. You'll likely hear another update in about a month. Until then, we can't thank you enough for your support.