Permaculture Project Lift-off

[Amigas del Señor]

From Sister Confianza

Ten days ago I had a very encouraging meeting with several members of the  Comunión H board who are interested in getting food growing on the lot where we live in Limón.  Comunión H is the non-profit organization that is getting an after-school program up and running at the former orphanage here.  The four of us brainstormed some of the fruit trees and food crops that we'd like to see -- pretty much every common tropical fruit and vegetable that are grown around here, plus some less-common ones.  The three men I met with are long-time pillars of the community, and are eager for young people to learn the traditions of their ancestors, including how they farm.  Each of them offered ways they can help, from procuring tools through the municipal government to hands-on agricultural work.  I was pleased that our ideas were in sync, including putting in an irrigation system and using only natural fertilizers.  

The monastery has received a small grant that will allow us to pay for some help and buy some of the materials, though more money will be needed.  These board members have connections that should be able to help us obtain more funding.  In the meantime, I bought a wheelbarrow when I went to Tocoa recently.  It's something that we've been wanting a long time, and William began using it immediately to haul sacks of cow manure from the corral across town. 

One of the ag teachers from the junior high school (who happens to be the son of one of the board members) is also excited to be involved and share his knowledge as a trained agronomist.  Yesterday, Profe (pronounced PRO-fay, short for "professor," as teachers are called) César gave me a bunch of seedbags and papaya seeds.  Today, I mixed dirt from the chicken yard with some natural fertilizer that William had made (a mix of cow manure, chicken litter, ashes and plant material).

I filled 48 seedbags today, and will continue to prepare more.  They are ready for any seeds and seedlings we decide to plant.  I think this was the first time that I have done any physical agricultural work since I got sick with long COVID in August.  I am so grateful to be feeling so energetic!  

On Thursday I plan to go up to the motherhouse and bring back some cashew seedlings that have sprouted so I can get them growing in the bags.  We will also plant lots of papayas (it turns out there's quite a market for them!) and any other fruit tree seeds we can get.  Mangoes are coming in to season, and avocados are not far behind.  Plus, Profe César knows how to graft trees, so we look forward to getting some really good cultivars going!

Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes about this permaculture project!

Bendiciones,

Sister Confianza

Amigas del Señor Monastery

Limón, Colón

Honduras

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