06/14/13 PM:  Tentatively planning to hold a meeting with Upper Javier community to discuss if there is interest for another basic class on Sewing & separate class on Gardening.  Apparently more women in the community want to learn to sew & a few expressed interest in gardening to feed their families.
I am hopeful the men & youth will also be interested in basic gardening.  Over time this could  develop into a community-wide activity everyone participates in, benefits from, & takes pride in.  IF we can teach a small core group in the community to grow their own vegetables to provide for their families, then they can teach others in the community as well as sharing their bounty with the community & beyond.   I pray that God will open the doors to provide this opportunity, but obviously will wait to see how it develops. 

In the meantime I can do some homework, for example:  research the common pests & local plants that may help minimize pests; where to buy local seed and soil (if needed); review soil content in Upper Javier.  Some common vegetables grown nearby include:  cabbage; green onions; white radish; okra; tomato; bell peppers; squash; string beans.  All of these are used routinely in soup (“Sopas”) which is eaten year round.  Dr Angie’s team will plan a trip with me to a local farming community in order to observe & learn about local farming.  [PS: I may start a small test garden near the Canteen on College campus which would benefit Chef Hector & his kitchen staff. Not sure how the rainy season will impact it though.]