An update from The Garden Project, Northern Argentina
As part of our link with the Diocese of Northern Argentina through SAMS, Down and Dromore is a significant supporter of the work of the Siwok Foundation. Begun by Alejandro Deane, the foundation does vital work in helping to preserve indigenous identity, practices and livelihoods in North–West Argentina. Read on to find out more about the work among the Wichi.
Read this previous article for background information
Click here to download a PDF of the February report from The Garden Project
Here is a summary from Alec:
There are more than 100 families with a garden that produce 3 and up to 4 harvests every 3 months. This is positive and should show the way for a more solid investment by larger institutions than ourselves.
This is the International Year for Family Agriculture as you see in the logo in the first page. With this excuse we hope to bring institutions on board and generate support for expanding this food producing system based on drip irrigation and good seed to more families.
Water is always the problem and in all the projects there will have to be investment in this area for plans to succeed.
We are slowly being known and we hope this in the end will bring the support so that a structure of family agriculture is set up by the government with our guidelines of cultural adaptation (mainly working with Wichi agriculturalists).
We are now sowing the winter tomato plants but with no funds. We will be depending on government support. They have promised funds but they are not yet available.
We have taken a big risk embarking on a winter plantation but with no definite funds in the bag. It´s a “calculated risk” that hard headed Alec can take… and will kick some tables if nothing appears.
There is much to be done in helping better the water service in the communities. All donations in this area will be much appreciated.
We are trying to set up a system where people in other countries can support what we are doing through deposits by Pay Pal into a SAMS Ireland account. This still is not decided but we hope we can put it together shortly for the good of all.
Just to be able to get a link to show the videos we opened a Facebook account with Fundacion Siwok. This has meant that we can get the link for the reports but also many friends can see what´s happening and hear the main actors speak. This has been an unexpected result with good fruits as we feel encouraged by the “I like” clicks!
We will be updating our website constantly after every trip so please go to it to see what’s happening: www.fundacionsiwok.org
Once again I mention that I´m using my own personal vehicle and this is over 10 years old. We need to look for donors as although it takes me and brings me back it´s not sustainable on the long run. Now I have to whip the horse to pass trucks!!
Many thanks to all who show their interest and support this little initiative!! El Señor los Bendiga!
Alec Deane
Email: alecdeane@yahoo.com