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| Amigos del Ambiente Cleaning Up Benque |
UPDATE: The Benque House of Culture has started an environmental group for kids and youth which is called Amigos del Ambiente (Friends of the Environment) and which has been made possible by a grant received from Kids 2 Kids. On October 13th we had our first meeting and about 15 kids showed up. Also in attendance were a few older individuals who will be great assets for leadership and organizational help. I explained the project, had them fill out registration forms with their contact info and their parents signature, and then we did some vision mapping and asset mapping for the project and the community. I found that these activities were kind of difficult to do with the younger kids but overall it was a decent meeting. We got some great ideas on the board, the kids are excited to start and we will have no shortage of activities to carry out. We have continued to have successful, well attended meetings. The group is a huge hit with kids here and the membership continues to grow. On Saturday, October 23rd I joined with 15 kids and a couple youth from the environmental youth group, along with my counterparts to pick up trash around town. This was coordinated along with 20+ other groups throughout Benque, and as part of a final push in the Clean Up Campaign that has been going on through the Benque Viejo Town Council.
The following week, using funds provided by Kids 2 Kids grant, we purchased tools and supplies for the garden such as shovels, spades, a wheelbarrow, watering tools and some seeds. On Saturday, November 13th the group gathered again for a full day of work. Over twenty kids showed up and in a matter of hours they marked off where the gardens will be, tilled and leveled the earth, assisted some adults in constructing and assembling raised garden beds and even counted and safely relocated 23 earthworms, 1 pupae, and 5 beetle grubs! The worms were put back into our garden plots and the kids were taught about their positive role in keeping the garden aerated. The fire ants were in attendance as well but were not so compliant in relocating. Instead we used some soapy water to wash them away safely and without using poisons so closely to the garden plots. Its a battle we haven't quite won, but the kids persevered through several stings to get the work done. A few days later we gathered again at the House of Culture, kids eager and energetic, and planted seeds in starter cups for a variety of squash, tomatoes, lettuce, watermelon and beans. Up next: making a garden map, learning about companion planting, planting with the moon cycles, composting and more. We will also be dipping into some paints and engaging the group artistically to paint murals on the garden beds. An opening ceremony is to be held in January 2011 to kick off the new year and get more community members and families involved in the project.
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| Tilling with our new Tools |
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| Save the {Earth}worms! |
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