Welfare Garden

Yesterday Elder and Sister Klein, the Area Welfare Specialists, stopped by the office late morning and invited us to go with them to check up on the progress of a community welfare garden project near Budaburam. We are mostly in the office, so were glad we were able to get away for the afternoon.

 

Budaburam is a refugee camp located 44 kilometers (27 mi) west of Accra, Ghana. Opened by the UNHCR in 1990, the camp is home to more than 12,000 refugees from Liberia who fled their country during the First Liberian Civil War (1989–1996) and the Second Liberian Civil War (1999–2003), in addition to refugees from Sierra Leone who also escaped from the ravages of their civil war (1991–2001).

Elder and Sister Klein are involved in several humanitarian projects such as wheel chairs for the poor, digging bore holes in villages who do not have a close source of clean water and this garden project focused on helping people learn how to provide for themselves. Other things they oversee involve projects in cooperation with other organizations such as immunizations, and other medical needs.  This project is a 10 acre plot of ground that was leased from a nearby tribe for planting several crops. It is off the main road several kilometers and runs by a granite quarry, and a couple small villages.

   

Due to rains a couple days ago the dirt road was interesting to navigate and keep from getting stuck.We even had to drive through a stream that when it rains can be interesting to cross. Glad we had 4 wheel drive! We had to use it once.

  

The Elders Quorum President in the Budaburam branch has the assignment for managing this plot of ground.  Yesterday he had several members of the branch, as well as some non-members who are involved in the project, out helping to weed the corn.  The corn was planted by hand by several teams using a stick to punch a hole in the soil and a child would follow placing two kernels in each hole.  Another person would then cover over the seeds.  The Church pays for the costs to initiate the project, like the equipment to clear and prepare the ground, the seed, and everything necessary to set up a watering system.  We arrived at lunch break time.  They have planted approx. 10 acres of corn, watermelon, cucumber, squash and will be adding cabbage soon.

   

Notice the rustic look of the hoes they use.  The brother below who is sharpening his machete with a file is sitting among watermelon plants.  However, now that we are entering the rainy season, they should have plenty of water for about six weeks to help them get a good start.

 

Once these crops are harvested they plan to divide up the ground into smaller plots for individual families. They plan to make about 60 gardens.  The Liberians, as well as some Ghanaians who garden here, are glad for the opportunity to grow their food and help care for themselves.  Once they get a good start, the Church will let them take over entirely. The welfare system of the Church is based on encouraging people to become self sufficient and learn to do things for themselves. It is not a dole system.

. 

These crops were only planted two weeks ago. This may not look like much to us in the way of a field of corn, but they are very proud of all their hard work, and it will feed many people. It is the beginning of something very important for the well-being of the people in this area.