Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala

Hello to all,

I´m heading back to the U.S. this a.m. after some very productive days at our Mayan Training Center in Guatemala. Helping to provide food for Mayan families in the region via training at our educational center is our focus, where AAV is teaching families to ¨build¨good soil from depleted soil. Families in three villages are currently making ¨green¨compost and preparing vegetable beds with a ¨deep-dug¨method designed to support at least four companion vegetables. This technique, developed by our agronomist friend, Cesar Garcia Linneo at the San Carlos University in Guatemala, is just one of the techniques used in this unique food-growing program. It will ultimately revolutionize the Maya´s ability to feed themselves.

¨Feeding¨the soil, creating close spacing for seedlings, and planting ¨friendly¨plants with each other that deter insects, are just three of the techniques of the program.

More news to come after the big bird sets down in Miami and I can begin to post some exciting new photography.

Frances

César Linneo, bio-intensive mini-farming expert

Let us tell you how Adopt-a-Village will begin to celebrate our 20 years of service in Guatemala!

We are excited to tell you that we have attracted noted agronomist, César Linneo Garcia Contreras from the San Carlos University in Guatemala City, to provide training at our Mayan Center for Education and Development.

César Linneo is a professor in the Department of Agronomy who specializes in organic agriculture.  In addition to his degree in agronomy earned at the university, he has studied bio-intensive agriculture in the United States, Mexico and several countries in Central and South America.

On Saturday, he and I will make the long mountain drive to our Mayan Center.  We arrive on Sunday when he will begin his seminars in bio-intensive mini-farming.

What is even more exciting–his training will extend beyond our school doors.  César will be visiting some of our sponsorship villages to teach.  Last year, Adopt-a-Village introduced the concept of family gardens to various communities. Now, with a highly trained technician in bio-intensive mini-farming at our side, our work will be expanded and strengthened.  As healthy gardens succeed, we will continue to increase our reach to dozens of communities.  Our ultimate objective—create conditions for self-sufficient food production.  More food and improved nutrition gives us valid hope that the all-too-high rate of chronic child malnutrition in this area is going to drop.

Happy with clothes and shoes for school

A few days ago, Adopt-a-Village found Suleidi, Nelson, Breieda, Elmer, and Deneisi.  Their father died two years ago when his wife was pregnant with Deneisi.  With no breadwinner in the family, their poverty is extreme.  The children were walking to school barefooted—their mother has been unable to afford to buy shoes for them.  Adopt-a-Village responded immediately with school clothes and shoes.  Now, going to school can be a happy event, not one of shame because they cannot dress as other children.

We are hoping that someone out there will want to help them.  A 100 lbs. of corn for $25 will insure that have tortillas.  Or you can sponsor one (or two!) of them.  Happily Breseida has been taken into the care of Leigh and her adopted Guatemala daughter, through sponsorship. We would love to see others offer that same compassion to Breseida’s brothers and older sister. Please email us at guatvillage@gmail.com.