South Africa

Good Morning!

From South Africa

Dana and I have been in South Africa for over a week

now.  We currently serve for our church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 

as missionaries for the Welfare/Humanitairian Department.

Dana and I served for 2 years in Ethiopia 

as Country Directors, for the Church's NGO 

Latter Day Saint Charities while we were there for 

2 years.  We did everything from financials,

Paperwork, and finding and implementing projects there.

After we came come in Dec of 2011, 

We were called to serve as technical specialists

for the Food Production Programs throughout the world.

We are on our 3 rd year doing this, 

our first assignment was in Arizona and New Mexico 

working on projects with the Native American People.

Over the last 2 years we have been to

Projects in the US, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.

This is our first assignment back to Africa. 

This trip we have traveled to the Durban area

And met with a partner Enterprise Ilembe, who does 

Garden projects with local people, they 

Have are formed into coops

And they grow vegetables for the school food

Program implemented by Nelson Mandela for the

Children in South Africa for better nutrition.

This was an awesome visit, 

We see that the women are the workers and the 

Important part of keeping the gardens watered, weeded, and 

Harvested.  Every garden we visited the women's were

Going down to the nearest creek or water hole, fill their buckets

With water, and haul it up the hill to their plants.

Most of their day is spent doing this,

We are hoping that we can bring water closer to them,

By purchasing pumps, pipe, and sprinklers so they can spend

More time in caring for their plants, keeping the weeds down

Have better productivity, and become self reliant.

So they can purchase all they need on their own with out

Any assistance.

So this has been a very productive trip.

We are still waiting for the financial 

Figure from the partner, how much will it cost to

Supply the things needed, listed by the garden group,

We plan to help 7 coop groups there.

Tomorrow we leave for Madagascar, 

It is our assignment to go and see 2 food 

Projects already in process and write up a report on 

How they are doing.

We are excited to do this work!

Hugs,

Robin