While most of us are able to take a few days off during the Christmas holidays to enjoy some time with family and loved ones, some of the Agricultural Training Center (ATC) staff have to stay “on duty” to make sure the work continues. There are chickens and goats to tend to daily, and young, tender new vegetable plants and trees need watering. And for some, there is even a daily harvest that keeps the plants producing at their maximum. Even though there is always work to be done, these people are glad to have their gardens and livestock to tend because it means food security and even earning some income when they can sell their surplus. Any of you who also garden know that while there is always work to be done, there is great reward and satisfaction from maintaining what you’ve started. Soon, many families who have gained gardening skills from our ATC courses will be enjoying their traditional big New Year’s meal of “joumou,” or pumpkin soup.  With happy, full bellies these self-reliant families will enter the New Year giving thanks to God for their “Blessings from His Provision,” and thanks to all our donors who make this possible by supporting our “Development for Sustainability” outreaches that help Haitians learn how to help themselves.

God Bless you.

Rad Hazelip, Assistant Executive Director