12/15-12/22

We have been working hard with our first garden in the small village of Buwala at the St. Paul and Rose Orphanage. The orphanage is a very small brick and mud building hosting 26 children. This home garden which will add much nutrients to the kids diet which now only consists of beans, potatoes, and sugarcane. We cleared a large area which was basically a garbage dump to dig the garden beds. We have dug 20 beds which are 4 meters long and 90 cm wide. We dig 25 cm down with a hoe then excavate with a shovel. We line the beds with plastic, fill with charcoal dust and chicken manure, then back fill with the tilled soil. This will help hold in the nutrients and create soil fertility. The ground is very hard making the job very tough. But, luckily we have the help of the children and nearby neighbors to help. The community has become very interested and involved as this will be a demonstration garden for everyone. We have also started a nursery with various vegetables and fruit that will later be planted in the beds.
The work ethic of the children and women are truly amazing. They have taught us so much and keep the day full of laughter. Everyday we take papaya breaks and eat a late lunch of potatoes and beans which they wrap in banana leaves and cook over a fire all morning. We have fallen in love with the community and kids who have been welcoming and consider us family.
We will finish the beds, fence the garden and wait until the rain before planting. There has been no water since our arrival so we are hoping to build them a gutter and holding tank to harvest the water when the rain finally comes.