By Dick Wheelock | Project Co-ordinator
Much progress has been made at the farm attached to Chez Papa Geoff in Benin:
The storm damage to the tractor shed has been repaired. HATW has also provided funds for a well at the farm which has encouraged the establishment of a vegetable garden. With adequate water (and the aquifer here yields abundantly) there is immense scope for vegetable production. This will improve the children's diet and provide surplus for sale.
Field scale crops of maize and haricot beans have yielded well this year. Second plantings for the year have just been started. The first palm oil trees have just started to yield. This is a much prized cash crop in Benin and should gain further rewards as it can certainly be categorised as sustainably grown.
As part of HATW's 25 year celebrations, we have planted 25 trees in Wales and Jersey and our partners have planted 25 trees at each of their projects. In Benin, they decided to plant a few extra - they've planted 30 coconut palms, 20 avocados, 6 guavas 20 papayas / pawpaws!
There are currently 22 children living at Chez Papa Geoff and enjoying the fruits of the farm as well as learning about farming and gardening.
Many more children and young people in the community are supported through the project with sponsorship through secondary school, apprenticeships and university education. This year 6 new pupils will join the sponsorship programme at the start of secondary school and will be supported right through to completing either an apprenticeship or university degree.
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