By Pam Rogers | Capacity Advisor/Addiction Trainer
Thank you for getting behind our new project in Karen State to help us feed our clients and workers through organic agriculture. This is our first report.
We have started off the project with several smaller gardens around the DARE Centre near T'ree Poe Kwee Village in Karen State. It is just the beginning. Last month we were able to feed our treatment program participants with fresh vegetables for the whole month, supplementing their regular diet of rice and fish paste. As well, some of our chickens supplied eggs.
Our only challenge right now is negotiating with the farmer next to the DARE Centre for about 2 acres of land. This is taking some persuasion. The one plot we had an eye on was refused to us because of the "Nats". There are 37 Nats in Burma. These are "spirits" that live in nature, that must be appeased so they will protect or not harm the lives of people. The "Nats" are worshipped and offerings made as part of the old Animist religion of the people, that morphed eventually into Buddhism. Although the majority of people in Burma are Buddhist, the old religion has not been left behind.
In our case, the plot we were looking at is used for planting rice seedlings under the protection of the Nat. There is nowhere else on the farm where seedlings can be planted. If that were to be done, the seedlings wouldn't grow and the rice crop would fail. Without the help of the Nat, all would be lost.
Our Core Staff are now talking to the farmer about another piece of land close by and in fact, closer to the water source. They are confident we can get this land before the rains start....the perfect time to plant.
In addition to feeding people, the organic garden will be a place where our addiction clients can find some peace. Working and creating life is very grounding and the clients will benefit from reconnecting with nature.
Please read the attached article about a rather racous Nat and have a look at the gardens we have planted so far.
We will keep you updated in our next report and you will see an abundance.
From all of us at DARE Network
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