Food and Self-Reliance for AIDS Orphans

While in Zimbabwe this summer, we decided to incorporate small, personal gardens into the overall project to help 400 families who are suffering from food insecurity.  We visited 24 families who were selected to be part of this pilot project and took at look at their current gardens.  What we found is that while the families have the good sense to know that they need to be growing their own veggies, they don't always have the ability to purchase seeds or the knowledge of how to grow a garden in arid areas.

This is where Mr. Ncube walked in - he is a dear Zimbabwean friend who is also an avid gardener with a heart of gold.  He took it upon himself to properly train the grannies and children who head up the households so that they learn conservation farming, perfect in areas with little rain.  We purchased seeds and held trainings.  Now, two months later, veggies are sprouting up and families are getting excited.

Foliage goes to their animals. Veggies are for the family members. Manure from the animals feeds the garden.  Thick, thick mulch protects the earth and little plants from the harsh sun and keeps moisture in.  What a simple, but life-changing project!

As we continue to move forward, our plans are to expand this project in 2013 because we've already seen what is possible.  When we have hard facts of how the veggies are helping livestock and humans, we'll grow this program to include as many families as we can. 

Thank you for being part of this, friends.  You are truly giving hope and life to many folks in desperate situations.  Don't hesitate to tell others about this great project and to ask them to support it as well.

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• Climb, hike, run, bike - help the kids while having fun!