Saturday, March 1, 2014

Today, Manuel drove us to Paradise, a Samaritan Foundation village, so that we could see the gardens that are being developed by the people with help from  agricultural experts.  Hermes, who lives in the village and works for the Samaritan Foundation gave us a tour.  We passed through a gate into what looked like a typical Canadian style garden plot with rows of corn, beans and a few other vegetables.  This was actually an experimental plot with the various plants undergoing different treatments to see what each would produce.  Nearby was a newly constructed chicken coop about 3 x 10 metres, which will provide some eggs for the village.  I later learned that smaller coops measuring 1 x 2 metres will be provided to houses that want to keep a few chickens in the yard.  Hermes then led us down a hill where we entered what seemed like a forest of banana trees.  This was also garden area, but used a more ecological approach, with layers of vegetation below the trees – pea shrubs, root vegetables, squash vines, etc.  It was designed in consultation with experts from the University of Guelph, which also did soil sampling and testing to determine the best crops to grow and to give direction to methods of treatment to improve fertility.  A couple who run a honey business has donated a bee colony and box and will educate others to look after it and to provide more boxes.  This will help to improve pollination of crops with a bonus of honey for sale.

An Experimental Plot of Corn

The Chicken Coop 

A Good Crop of Red Beans

Hermes Giving Us a Tour of the Gardens in Paradise

Layering of Crops in a Garden

We did a quick tour of the new office building of the Samaritan Foundation then drove to Loma de los Chivos (Goat Hill) to dedicate a house which was sponsored by St Luke's Lutheran Church in Kitchener, where 9 of our Journey team attend.  This house is for Victoria, an older lady who does good work in the village.  Her 2 daughters and their children live in the village also.  On Monday, only the footings were in place, but today the walls are up and the roof was on.  Our group sang a song and Pastor Jim prayed a dedication.  Victoria said a prayer of thanks to God and for our help in providing this house.  Bea and I explained the Canadian tradition of ‘house warming’ and handed over bags of blankets, towels, table cloth, etc. and some kitchen and bathroom items.  Victoria shed some tears of thanksgiving for her good fortune and hugged each of us.   

The Journey 2014 Team With Victoria and a Daughter

This Was Just a Foundation on Monday

This is the final day of our Journey in the Dominican, so we headed back to the resort for lunch and some beach time.  We head off to the airport at 5 for our 6:30 flight - leaving 30 above for 30 below.