Build victory gardens for 500 Ethiopian households

In our recent visit to the project we had a discussion with some students who are participating in the Atebes victory garden project. We asked them how the project is going. Below are some of the answers they provided. 

Question: How many apple trees do you have

Hiwot: We have 5 apple trees. I am the one who take care of them. My little seeblings also help in watering. My father tells us to water it when we forget.

Q. Have they started bearing fruit.

Hiwot: Some them have started to give fruit but others are still short. It depends on their age. the ones that are fruiting were planted in 2011. We are eating them and they are tasty.

Q. Have you started selling them in the market.

Hiwot: We have not started selling them. One of my trees has only 24 fruits. Others are also like us. This is a new tree and man people dont know what it is. May be we will sell in the future and make a lot of money. Now we want to eat them.

Q. How many households have apple trees.

Hiwot: I dont know. But most of my friends have apple trees. But again, on the old ones have fruit.

Q. Do you know that the price of one apple in Mekelle city is 18 birr ($1.00).

Hiwot: No, I dont know that. I have never been to Mekelle even. When we a lot of fruits we will sell our in Mekelle.

Q. What is your plan for the future.

Hiwot: I am with my parents until I finish my school. I am only 10th grade. I hope to grow more apples if I get the seedlings or if I knwo how to multiply them. 

Thank you for the chat. Thank you.

Dear supporters,

I recently visited the village and met with students watering the apples. They are highly motivated as the plants have begun to provide fruits. They were reporing to me that their trees have began to give fruit. They said that ttheir trees has produced lots of flowers and fruits. Some trees are carrying 20, 15, 8, 22 or more fruits.  This is the result of their work but also the fruit of your support. Many of the young boys and girls are asking when they will be getting additional seedlings. We have unleashed a new interest and I can do it attitude in the youth. Those who have who have apple trees are asking for more and those who do not want to try. We have distributed 500 apples  annually for the last three rainy seasons except for 2013. Please share information with your friends and your loved ones so that the momentum that we you have created can continue for a long time to come. Please accept the Happy Holidays and Best wishes from the kids, their families and us.Again, thank you for your continued support.

Please look at the pictures for more information.