Progress with finding a site for the new Gardens

Bon jou!

I'm the first one awake again--pigs are back to greet me! Saturday was a most interesting day. We walked 3 times to the garden site and back to the school. For safety we always travel in groups and with a Haitian escort. The walk (a mere 2 blocks) is a journey. The streets are so crowded. There is lots of trash and garbage, parked cars, traffic, noise, people asking for food and money, people selling food. I usually run into one or two deaf people who recognize me from the school and we have a quick conversation if we can. Such a short distance can be a little overwhelming. 

As with most things that last, initial planning is critical. In our effort to stay fluid and make the best decisions possible, our plans have changed. Sam (whom I call Samwise) is also from 100gardens and working in Monaihaim. He came Saturday to consult with Monty. By the end of the day we decided to move the site of the garden! Thanks to Tess and Brittainy's ideas, we found a place to put it on the campus where the children currently live and have classes. 

This is great. It means the students don't have to walk to the other site daily to take care of it, which Pere Sadoni, the head of the school, does not feel is safe.  The kids can watch the garden grow, they can help take care of it, the kitchen staff has easy access. Sadoni has approved--everyone is happy.  This has been a REMARKABLE day!

We are not going to go to the school on Sunday. Taking a day to catch up, learn how to use the video camera, Tess and Brittany have reading to do for school, tests to take, and papers to write. I will be deciding whether or not to extend my trip until Thursday or Friday. Sam and Monty feel we will have the garden together in time to put water in the barrels on Wednesday so the "nitrites" can become "nitrates" so the fish won't die. (Still not exactly sure of this concept, but I'm getting there.) Then we add the plants. Then we add the plants into the shallow pool garden early in June.

Last night we all decompressed with a beer or drink on the roof listening to the sounds of Haiti. 

Men anpil chay pa lou, (Kreyol for "many hands make the load lighter"). At least I think that's what it means. The sentiment is there anyway. 

Sherye