back in Xela

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We arrived back in Xela this afternoon, a long bus ride on an exciting chicken bus again. the day was amazing, we walked up the hill for breakfast where we had steak and scrambled eggs with beans of course. From there we met Ruben at the AMMID office and then back to the hotel to pack bags and load the truck. We had a visit to the farm, which is a learning centre for AMMID, and were able to meet 8 women who were on a refresher course. The community leaders once they join the AMMID group spend time at the farm to learn about nutrition, cleanliness, and generally how to help themselves and the others in their community. Once they have had time to put the learning into practice back with their own group they come back to the farm to refresh and have any questions answered. We saw the stove which was built there and noted a modification which they had included, a metal pipe running down one side of the chimney and back up the other, this pipe was for hot water and went to a storage tank on the roof and from there to a shower. The farm stood out on the hillside as we approached as it was much greener than the surrounding area. They also learn how to raise healthy animals and vermiculture to use for fertilization. We were able to watch 3 of the women preparing an organic insect repellent which they would use on their crops as opposed to the insecticides that are normally used. i found the whole project very facinating and hopeful. From there we travelled much higher into the mountains to visit a school which had received a stove from Keiths father. Although the children were not at school when we got there, the stove was there for us to see and we left some donations for the children of pencils and toothbrushes with toothpaste. Getthing there had been dusty and on the way back we gave a ride to two men who sat in the back to the truck, that must have been really dusty.
Once back at the farm, Ruben left us and Herman took over to drive us to San Marcos. The road was much better although very high up in the mountains, it was at least paved. We drove through cloud and around winding roads again. Along the route we came upon an open truck packed full of people, with only rope to protect them from falling of the flat bed. Herman told us these were people on their way to the Finca to pick coffee from Comitancillo. It used to be that 100% of the people in Comi went to the Fincas,but now 70% remain on their own properties to farm and be self sustaining. AMMID is instrumental in helping the people to be able to do this.
It is good to be back in Xela and have a warm shower with good running water. Off to dinner and then tomorrow we are off to San Pedro.

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Photos

jim riding in the back of the pick up
On the way to visit the farm/teaching gardens, Jim and I had the luxery of riding in the back of the pickup truck. We were luck and did not have to travel to far on the dusty roads.

demonstration gardens
The farm is where the leaders are gathered to learn about farming without pesticides and sustainably. The have a few animals here and an area of fruit trees and vegetable gardens

shower
The shower which is heated from the stove. the leaders are also taught about cleanliness and the importance it has to the families

mashing leaves
the women mashing the leaves to make the insect repellant for the plants

another view of the truck
the truck is loaded with a cargo of human workers going to work on the coffee finca

on the chicken bus
A little girl riding on the chicken bus to Xela which we were on.

Comments

[Mary]

great blog
So proud of you guys and the great work you are doing. Hope you survived the beans, Nancy!!! Seriously, the photos and write ups are wonderful. It's fascinating to see the people, village life and breathtaking scenery.