The previous volunteer had a school garden as well, but only used a sma
Each 7th grade student gets their own plot of land, upon which they plant, tend, and harvest. I provide the seeds (some of which I got donated, some of which I bought) and help them with both techical knowledge and the physical labor. Anything harvested goes directly to the kitchen to feed the entire student body during lunch.
The degree to which they take pride in their own land is incredible. I expected to constantly provide motivation for them to work on their plot, since after class every afternoon, they find themselves working their family´s land as a chore. Yet, even when I am not present, they are out in the hot sun watering, weeding, or simply admiring their work. Must be either the spirit of competition or challenge of doing it all by
Looking into the future on this project, I would like to make it sustainable. Instead of just a few students planting vegetables during the school year, I want to include more grade levels, build a greenhouse and composting toilet, as well as get some animals to 1) provide pest control, 2) manure, and 3) protein in the student´s daily lunch diet.
Unfortunately, these fine ambitions require money, the likes of which will not come from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education. Therefore, in the next few weeks, keep your eyes out for a means of donating both to this school garden project and my composting toilet project.
Pictures Explained:
1) Me distributing seeds wearing my indigenous outfit.
2) 7th grade students showing the seeds they are about to sow.
3) Happy face.
Ohh, I've been missing you, more now, since I'm back on Halsey. I LOVE this post -- how beautiful -- you, them, the whole damn thing! (The kids are shockingly gorgeous -- is the whole town???)
ReplyDeleteCount me in for a donation.....