Provide Organic Gardens for 20 Indigenous Women

Candelaria Sut has been planning workshops for the women in Santa Clara la Laguna, Solola and Chumanzana, Chichicastenago, Quiche which have kept the women moving along. 

She worked with each of the women in Chumanzana to construct their raised bed using plastic bottles.  They next  prepared the soil to fill their beds.  They gathered organic fertilizar, decomposed leaves, soil, and worm compost.  They added a small amount of lime  to disinfect the soil  and then mixed  all the ingredients together.  This soil mixture was used to fill the raised beds. 

They planted cilantro, radishes, celery, parsley, lettuce, two kinds of  beets, onions, leeks, two kinds of cabbage, tomato, and chipilin.  These were all starter plants that the women had requested.  They also planted squash outside their raised bed as it needs a lot of room to grow.  Each woman received an avocado sapling for their patio.  Candelaria reported that the children were involved along with their mothers and are learning about organic gardening along with them.

Candelaria arranged for a workshop in Chumanzana given by a promotor from ADEMI, our partner in Tecpan, that taught them how to make organic  insecticide, fertilizar, and fungicide.   The women worked in groups learning the steps as they produced each product so they can do it on their own in the future.  The children again were involved so they will become future organic gardeners. 

In Santa Clara la Laguna, the emphasis so far has been on constructing a demonstation garden in the home of Juana Tuj, our partner there.  Candelaria will work with those who wish to replicate the raised bed garden in their own homes.

The women are all working hard to make their garden a success.  They are looking forward to having vegetables to add to their diet of mostly tortillas and beans.