Dear Supporter of Seed Programs International,
Thank you so much for your gift earlier this month. This is our first report.
Project Update
With monies raised we are able to go forward in Haiti. Our partner, AyitiKonseVet, directed by June Levinsohn in Vermont, believes in partnership and works closely with others. AKV's agronomist Wedly Deceus is currently consulting with Renel Bruno of Initiative pour le Development Durable d'Haiti (IDDH) and Leneus Joseph with La Pliade. These three groups are able to, together, reach a broad area of north Haiti.
Together, these agronomists are considering our current seed inventory list and making selections appropriate to the culture, economy, and climate of the areas they serve.
Seeds will be likely sent next month. We'll send a report when that happens, and later we'll share photos of gardens and farms that result.
On the US side, germination tests on our bulk seed collection came back this summer and we are busily replacing inventory that needed it, and getting seeds packaged for this project and others. Our basic seed packet has planting instructions and vegetable name in 5 languages, including Haitian Kreyol.
Attached is a photo of a school garden coordinated by Wedly Deceus, one that a US visitor described as "the most impressive garden I've seen." A second photo shows part of the harvest from that garden.
Here is a story from that school garden that is part of what makes us so excited to be supporting AKV as part of spreading this model to other parts of Haiti:
"Obas Gelin is a student at the Massabiel elementary school who prepared his own garden while working in the school garden. After the harvest he sold his own produce in the local market for 1,250 goud ($ 27 US) and bought himself a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a pair of sneakers – to wear when taking his final primary school exams."
Challenge Update
With your help, we've reached the target of $5000 and 40+ donors to earn a permanent place amount the well-vetted organizations that are part of the Global Giving platform. This achievement, which you are part of, will surely support our work to fight hunger among thousands of future seed recipients.
Monday, September 30 is the final day of the Open Challenge - we are still in reach of bonus awards from Global Giving with a final push. So, if there is anybody among your friends, colleagues, or family who intended to give and may have forgotten, or who you think might gain satisfaction from supporting this project, let them know today!Also, don't forget that Global Giving offers very nice tribute presentations - e-cards, printable paper cards, and mailed cards for giving in honor of a birthday or other occasion.
Have a great Fall. You'll likely hear another update in about a month. Until then, we can't thank you enough for your support.
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