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Conclusion of Community Garden for People Living With HIV – Botswana
This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Alexandria Price. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK
HERE.
This project was to provide for the irrigation of the garden, a tank for the collection of rainwater, piping, and fixtures, as part of a project for the implementation of a vegetable garden for People Living with HIV.
Alexandria reports:
After receiving the funding, we immediately started implementing our priority goals of erecting the fence and purchasing necessary tools to cultivate the garden. I was impressed by the group's enthusiasm and dedication to the project and the possibilities seemed endless.
A series of problems arose during which it appeared that we would be unable to meet our objective of having a water source at the garden. There was a severe water shortage in the village of Rakops due to below average rainfall and a malfunction at the local boreholes. Due to miscommunications, the Department of Water Affairs did not install our water tap.
We tried to carry and wheelbarrow water to the site and this led to a small amount of vegetables actually growing. We found it to be impossible to continue this task, as some villagers did not have access to water at their personal homes due to a breakdown of the local water system.
We decided to postpone the project until water would be available, but this did not happen until after planting season had ended.
Finally, the day I left my village the Department of Water Affairs FINALLY installed a private tap for the garden!!!! This will greatly add to the productivity and sustainability of the garden.
The new Peace Corps Volunteer and I are still in contact about the project and how to move it forward with the new water supply and storage tank in place.
We again thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding for the Water Charity participation in this project.
This summer the Peace Corps community has an opportunity to be part of an extraordinary effort to improve our communities through volunteer service.
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