By Daillen Culver | Assistant Director
Exciting News! One year ago, the Seeds for a Future program in Guatemala launched an initiative to advance families to more complete and sustainable food production known as the Casa Granja (Cah-sah Grahn-ha), which loosely translates to "Backyard Farm." Today, 83 families in four municipalities have successfully created their own Casa Granja, and more families are asking every day to learn how to create theirs.
This weekend, a new demonstration garden was inaugurated in Chocolá to serve as an example for local families, showing the effectiveness of this unique model and providing a place where all can see the advantages of the Casa-Granja in practice.
Not only does the Casa Granja system allow a family to develop a comprehensive approach to raising their own food at home, but our team promotes the use of clean kitchen areas and tools, to keep families healthy.
The basic idea is to produce nutritious foods in an integrated and sustainable way, while keeping the cooking areas free of harmful pathogens that can cause recurring health problems. Especially in rural Guatemala, doctors are constantly treating the same chronic conditions that result from contaminated food and water. Seeds for a Future’s trained staff teach the importance of maintaining a clean kitchen and household environment in order to develop a healthier lifestyle for all families in the community.
One terrific side-effect of the Casa Granja system is more active involvement of the men of the household. Sons and husbands see an important role for themselves in building housing for the animals and birds, maintaining secure fences to protect gardens and animals from stray dogs, and other tasks typically viewed as "man's work." These cages and enclosures are an important part of keeping animal-borne bacteria out of the both the garden and the kitchen area, making it easier to prepare meals safe from those harmful pathogens.
Because they are now more involved, the men more clearly see the economic value of raising food at home, and they are also learning more about the importance of nutrition -- an important step toward long-term sustainability.
Your support has allowed the Seeds team to fine-tune theoretical knowledge with real-world experience, to experiment and risk failure -- something a poor family can ill-afford to do. Coaching and advice from the team is especially important during the early stages, as each family's space is unique, and their Casa Granja needs to match their particular needs and resources. In addition, expert advice on how to maintain a clean and safe cooking area is essential to preventing chronic illness for children and families.
We appreciate your support in helping families have better nutrition, cooked and served in a clean and healthful way to give themselves and their children a better chance for healthy, productive lives. Please continue your support so we can meet our goal of doubling the number of families with a successful Casa Granja in the next 12 months.
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A HEARTFELT THANKS FROM OUR TEAM!
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